Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/785

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Stmggle in England between King and Parliament 6'j() him. William was glad to forward James's flight to France, as he would hardly have known what to do with him had James in- sisted on remaining in the country. A new Parliament declared the throne vacant, on the ground that King James II, " by the advice of the Jesuits and other wicked persons, having violated the fundamental laws and withdrawn himself out of the kingdom, had abdicated the government." Charles I, m. Henrietta Maria of France (1625-1649) I Charles II Mary, m. William II Anne Hyde, m. James II, m. Mary of Modena (1660-1685) William Prince of | (1685-1688) Orange III, m. Mary Anne James Francis Edward, (1688-1702) (1702-1714) the Old -Pretender A Bill of Rights was then drawn up, condemning James's The Bill of violation of the constitution and appointing William and Mary '^ joint sovereigns. The Bill of Rights, which is an important monument in English constitutional history, once more stated the fundamental rights of the English nation and the limitations which the Petition of Right and Magna Charta had placed upon the king. By this peaceful revolution of 1688 the English rid themselves of the Stuarts and their claims to rule by divine right, and once more declared themselves against the rule of the Pope. A bill of toleration was passed by Parliament w^hich freed Dissenters from all penalties for failing to attend services in Anglican churches and allowed them to have their own meet- ings. Even Catholics, while not included in the act of toleration, were permitted to hold services undisturbed by the government. QUESTIONS Section i i 5. Wliat was the great issue during the period of the Stuarts .? What were the views of kingship held by James I .? Men- tion some of the books of his time. Section 116. What policy did Charles I adopt in regard to Parliament ? What was the Petition of Right ? What were the chief