The Convention Parliament convenes to determine whether James II and VII, the last Roman Catholic monarch of England, Ireland and Scotland, had vacated the thrones of England and Ireland when he fled to France in 1688.

The English Convention of 1689: A Pivotal Moment in British Constitutional History

Convened amidst the turbulent backdrop of the Glorious Revolution, the English Convention of 1689 was an extraordinary assembly of the Parliament of England. Unlike a regular Parliament, it was not summoned by a monarch, as King James II had fled the kingdom in December 1688, effectively vacating the throne. This unprecedented constitutional crisis necessitated an interim body to determine the future of the English monarchy and establish legitimate governance.

Key Proceedings and the Transfer of Power

Meeting from January 22 to February 12, 1689, this vital assembly swiftly addressed the power vacuum. Its paramount decision was the transfer of the crowns of England and Ireland from the deposed James II to his Protestant daughter, Mary II, and her husband, William III of Orange, the Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic. This momentous shift was not merely a change of monarchs; it was fundamentally conditioned upon their acceptance of the Declaration of Right. This crucial document detailed James II's alleged abuses of power, such as suspending laws, levying money without parliamentary consent, and maintaining a standing army in peacetime. It also asserted the traditional rights and liberties of the English people and Parliament, including freedom of speech in Parliament, the right to petition the monarch, and the necessity of frequent parliaments. This Declaration was subsequently enacted into law as the landmark Bill of Rights in December 1689, establishing crucial limitations on monarchical power and solidifying the principles of parliamentary sovereignty and constitutional monarchy in England.

The Parallel Scottish Convention of 1689: Securing the Northern Crown

In a parallel and equally significant development, Scotland also faced its own constitutional challenge following James VII's (James II of England) flight. A separate Scottish Convention of Estates convened in March 1689 to address the succession and the grievances against the former monarch. While sharing the broad aim of establishing a new Protestant succession, the Scottish process reflected the distinct legal and political landscape of Scotland, which had its own independent parliament and legal system.

The Scottish Claim of Right and Articles of Grievances

The Scottish Convention formally confirmed that the throne of Scotland was also to be awarded to William and Mary. However, this transfer was predicated upon their acceptance of the Claim of Right, a document analogous to England's Declaration of Right. The Claim of Right, along with the Articles of Grievances, declared James VII to have forfeited the throne due to his misgovernance, listing specific instances of his arbitrary rule, such as interfering with the judiciary and imposing oaths without legal authority. These documents established the conditions under which William and Mary would reign over Scotland, asserting the rights of the Estates (the Scottish Parliament) and the Scottish people. These were instrumental in shaping the future of the Scottish constitution and laid some of the groundwork for the eventual Acts of Union in 1707 that created the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Lasting Impact: Foundations of Modern Constitutionalism

Both the English and Scottish Conventions of 1689 were foundational events of the Glorious Revolution, collectively ensuring a Protestant succession and laying the groundwork for modern constitutional governance in Great Britain. They underscored the principle that the monarch's power was not absolute but derived from and limited by law, establishing a lasting legacy of parliamentary supremacy, the rule of law, and individual liberties that continue to influence democratic governance worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 1689 Conventions

What was the English Convention of 1689?
The English Convention of 1689 was an extraordinary assembly of the Parliament of England that met from January 22 to February 12, 1689. It was convened to address the constitutional crisis following the flight of King James II during the Glorious Revolution, and its primary act was to transfer the crowns of England and Ireland to William III and Mary II.
Why was it called a "Convention" and not a "Parliament"?
It was termed a "Convention" because a legitimate Parliament could traditionally only be summoned by a reigning monarch. With James II having fled, there was no king to issue the summons, making it an extraordinary, self-convened assembly, albeit comprising individuals who would normally constitute Parliament.
Who were William III and Mary II?
William III of Orange was the Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic and a prominent Protestant prince. Mary II was the eldest Protestant daughter of King James II and married to William. Their joint monarchy marked a significant shift towards a Protestant succession and limited monarchy in England, as they accepted the throne under specific conditions outlined in the Declaration of Right.
What was the Bill of Rights 1689?
The Bill of Rights was an Act of the Parliament of England passed in December 1689. It codified the Declaration of Right, which had been presented by the English Convention to William and Mary upon their acceptance of the throne. It outlined specific constitutional and civil rights, such as freedom from cruel and unusual punishment and the right to bear arms for Protestants, and ultimately settled the succession to the Crown, playing a fundamental role in establishing parliamentary sovereignty and curbing monarchical power.
What was the Scottish Convention of 1689?
The Scottish Convention of 1689 was a parallel assembly that met in March 1689, shortly after its English counterpart. It addressed Scotland's own constitutional situation following James VII's (James II of England) flight and similarly confirmed the transfer of the Scottish throne to William and Mary.
What was the Scottish Claim of Right?
The Scottish Claim of Right, adopted by the Scottish Convention, was a document analogous to the English Declaration of Right. It declared James VII to have forfeited the throne due to his misgovernance and established conditions under which William and Mary would rule Scotland, asserting the rights of the Estates (Parliament) and the Scottish people. It also called for the abolition of episcopacy, reflecting Scottish Presbyterian sentiments.