Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 4.djvu/15

CASSELL'S

ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

VOLUME IV.

 

Death of Dundee.

 

CHAPTER I.

REIGN OF WILLIAM AND MARY.

Accession of William and Mary coinjointly to the Crown—Disaffection of the Tories—Appointment of Privy Council—Claims of the Dutch for the late Expedition—Repeal of the Hearth Tax—James II descends on Ireland—The Mutiny Bill—Relief of Dissenters—War declared against France—Rebellion in Scotland—Battle of Killiecrankie—Death of Dundee—Reception of James II in Dublin—Siege of Londonderry—Party Spirit of the Whigs and Tories—The Indemnity Bill—Revival of the Tory Interest—Bill brought in to declare William and Mary rightful and lawful Sovereigns of the Realm—William sets out for Ireland—Schomberg's Successes—The Irish Campaign—Battle of the Boyne—Rejoicing amongst the Protestants—Conclusion of the Irish Campaign—Resumé of Affairs in England—Return of William from Ireland—Marlborough and the War with France—Jacobite Plots.

William of Orange had now fully succeeded in his enterprise. By the resolution of the two houses of parliament on the 12th of February, 1689, he was admitted to hold the crown for his life in conjunction with his wife, who was not merely queen consort but queen regnant. They were declared to be elected to that office and dignity by the free choice of the nation. They could neither of them claim the crown by direct succession, for James was king, and protesting against the idea of his abdication. Mary could not claim by succession, even if James had abdicated; for, although there had been much endeavour to prove the infant son of James a supposititious child, it had not succeeded. There was no sufficient proof of the fact, but much evidence against it, and nobody now doubts that the infant who after-