Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington, English admiral and politician (b. 1648)

Admiral Arthur Herbert, who would later become the 1st Earl of Torrington, was a towering figure in late 17th-century English politics and naval affairs. Born around 1648 and passing away on April 13, 1716, he embodied the complex loyalties and shifting tides of an era marked by deep religious and political divisions. His career as an English admiral and politician reached a critical juncture in 1688, a year that dramatically reshaped the future of the British monarchy and parliamentary power.

A Stand Against Royal Prerogative

The year 1688 saw England under the increasingly controversial reign of King James II. A devout Roman Catholic, James sought to promote his co-religionists to positions of power, a move that flew in the face of prevailing anti-Catholic sentiment and existing laws. Central to this conflict was the Test Act, a parliamentary statute enacted in 1673. This crucial piece of legislation stipulated that all civil and military officeholders in England had to swear an oath against transubstantiation and receive communion according to the rites of the Church of England. In essence, it barred Roman Catholics and Protestant Dissenters from holding public office, ensuring Protestant control over the government and military.

King James II made it a priority to repeal the Test Act, viewing it as an unjust restriction on his Catholic subjects and an impediment to his vision of royal absolutism. He exerted immense pressure on prominent individuals, including members of Parliament and officers like Admiral Herbert, to support its repeal. However, Herbert, a staunch Anglican and a man of principle, resolutely refused to vote in favour of the repeal. This act of defiance came at a significant personal cost: King James II, intolerant of dissent, swiftly dismissed Herbert from all his naval and political offices. This dismissal was not merely a career setback; it marked Herbert as an opponent of the King's increasingly autocratic rule and aligned him with those who feared a return to Catholic dominance and arbitrary government.

The Secret Mission and the Invitation to William

Herbert’s dismissal, far from silencing him, galvanized his resolve and positioned him as a trusted figure among those seeking a change in leadership. In the tense political climate of 1688, a group of influential English statesmen, known to history as the "Immortal Seven," dispatched a secret message to William of Orange, the Protestant Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic and son-in-law to King James II. This historic document, later known as the "Invitation to William," implored him to intervene militarily in England to protect Protestant liberties and the rule of law.

The delivery of such a sensitive document was fraught with immense danger, demanding utmost secrecy and courage. Admiral Herbert, renowned for his loyalty to constitutional principles and his deep knowledge of maritime affairs, was entrusted with this perilous mission. Disguising himself as a common sailor to evade detection by royal spies, he made the perilous journey across the North Sea to The Hague in the Netherlands, where William of Orange resided. Herbert successfully delivered the critical invitation, an act that directly set in motion the events leading to the Glorious Revolution.

Commander of the Invasion Fleet and the Glorious Revolution

William of Orange accepted the invitation, recognizing the dire state of affairs in England and the potential for a larger European conflict if James II's policies destabilized the region further. As a direct reward for his bravery, discretion, and unwavering commitment, Admiral Arthur Herbert was appointed to the crucial position of commander of William's formidable invasion fleet. This massive armada, comprising hundreds of ships and carrying thousands of troops, set sail for England with the explicit aim of securing the nation's Protestant succession and parliamentary rights.

On November 5, 1688, a date already significant in English history as Guy Fawkes Day, the Dutch fleet successfully landed at Torbay in Devon, on England's southwest coast. This strategic landing marked the official commencement of what would become known as the Glorious Revolution. Unlike many historical upheavals, this revolution was remarkably "bloodless" in its primary transition of power, largely due to the widespread support for William and the swift desertion of James II's army. Herbert’s role in navigating and commanding this fleet was instrumental, ensuring the successful arrival of William’s forces and thereby initiating a profound shift in English governance, solidifying the principles of parliamentary supremacy and a constitutional monarchy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Admiral Arthur Herbert and the Glorious Revolution

What was the Test Act?

The Test Act was an English parliamentary statute passed in 1673 requiring all officeholders, both civil and military, to swear an oath against transubstantiation and take communion in the Church of England. Its primary purpose was to prevent Roman Catholics from holding public office.

Why was Admiral Arthur Herbert dismissed by King James II?

Herbert was dismissed in 1688 because he refused to vote in Parliament for the repeal of the Test Act, which King James II, a Catholic monarch, was determined to abolish to allow Catholics into public life.

What was the "Invitation to William"?

The "Invitation to William" was a secret letter sent in 1688 by seven prominent English noblemen and bishops (the "Immortal Seven") to William of Orange, Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic. It urged him to intervene militarily in England to protect Protestantism and English liberties from King James II's perceived tyranny.

How did Admiral Herbert contribute to the Glorious Revolution?

Herbert played a pivotal role by secretly delivering the "Invitation to William" to the Prince of Orange. Subsequently, he was appointed commander of William's invasion fleet, successfully leading it to a safe landing at Torbay, Devon, which initiated the revolution.

What was the significance of the Glorious Revolution?

The Glorious Revolution (1688-1689) led to the deposition of King James II and the accession of William III and Mary II. It established the principle of parliamentary supremacy over the monarchy, significantly reduced the monarch's power, and enshrined a Bill of Rights, shaping Britain's constitutional monarchy.