Author Description
In 1688 the Catholic James II was removed from the throne and replaced by Protestant monarchs, first William III, and then Mary. The importance of this "glorious revolution," long seen as a crucial shift in Britain from absolutism to constitutional monarchy, has recently been questioned by historians. This wide-ranging book takes a fresh look at the people and events of 1688. Challenging recent work and arguing that 1688 did see a decisive, though not inevitable, movement toward mixed, constitutional monarchy, Speck provides a vivid picture of politics and society in the Glorious Revolution. He explores the nature of the late Stuart monarchy, and its likely development without the "accident" of James II; the personality of James himself, and the significance of his flight; the nature of the conspiracy to invite William of Orange to England and place him on the throne; and the Revolution's constitutional importance and long-term social and religious implications.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates whether the events of 1688 constituted a decisive shift toward constitutional monarchy or if the transition was merely a contingent accident of history. W. A. Speck, a noted historian of the Stuart period, utilizes primary political records and social analysis to challenge revisionist interpretations of the Glorious Revolution. He argues that while the outcome was not inevitable, the removal of James II and the accession of William and Mary fundamentally altered the trajectory of British governance.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of the political structure of the late Stuart monarchy
- Examination of the conspiracy to invite William of Orange to England
- Evaluation of the long-term social and religious implications of the revolution
- Assessment of the personality and political failures of James II
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive military history of the conflicts associated with the revolution
- It focuses primarily on the English political experience rather than the broader European theater of the Nine Years' War
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Historians frequently cite this work as a balanced and accessible entry point for understanding the complexities of the 1688 transition. Scholars note that Speck's synthesis of political theory and historical narrative provides a clear framework for evaluating the constitutional significance of the era.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
1989-08-03
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192851209
ISBN-13:
9780192851208
History
European History
Political History
British History
17th Century
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