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Restoration England 1660-1685Key Facts

Looking Forward: The Glorious Revolution

Part of Charles II's Legacy — GCSE History

This key facts covers Looking Forward: The Glorious Revolution within Charles II's Legacy for GCSE History. Revise Charles II's Legacy in Restoration England 1660-1685 for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 4 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 7 of 18 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 7 of 18

Practice

8 questions

Recall

4 flashcards

📌 Looking Forward: The Glorious Revolution

What happened after Charles died?

  • 1685: James II succeeds peacefully. Monmouth Rebellion (failed uprising by Charles's illegitimate Protestant son, the Duke of Monmouth) crushed.
  • 1685-88: James promotes Catholics, issues Declaration of Indulgence, prosecutes bishops.
  • 1688: Birth of Catholic heir triggers crisis. Protestant nobles invite William of Orange.
  • Nov 1688: William invades; James flees. "Glorious Revolution" — Parliament offers crown to William and Mary with conditions.
  • 1689: Bill of Rights limits royal power. Catholic succession permanently barred.

    • The problems Charles postponed came back to destroy his brother's reign.

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    Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Charles II's Legacy. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

    Exam Technique: Essay PlanningWhy Did Charles Succeed — and Why Did His Legacy Unravel?Charles II's Major ChallengesSetting the Scene

    Practice Questions for Charles II's Legacy

    On what date did Charles II die?

    • A. 6th February 1685
    • B. 6th February 1683
    • C. 6th February 1688
    • D. 6th February 1660
    1 markfoundation

    What was the immediate cause of the Glorious Revolution in 1688?

    • A. Parliament passed a law forcing James II to abdicate the throne
    • B. James II was captured in battle by William of Orange's army
    • C. The Monmouth Rebellion succeeded in removing James from power
    • D. The birth of a Catholic male heir meant a permanent Catholic succession, prompting Protestant nobles to invite William of Orange
    1 markfoundation

    Quick Recall Flashcards

    What happened to James II?
    James II succeeded peacefully in February 1685. He initially seemed secure — the Monmouth Rebellion (June 1685) was crushed at the Battle of Sedgemoor (his only one). But James then pursued the exact Catholic policies Whigs had feared: suspending the Test Acts, appointing Catholics to army and government posts, issuing a Declaration of Indulgence (1688). By November 1688, William of Orange had invaded and James fled to France — the Glorious Revolution.
    When did Charles II die and how?
    6 February 1685, aged 54. After a sudden stroke on 2 February, he lingered for four days. On his deathbed he secretly converted to Catholicism, receiving last rites from Father John Huddleston — the same priest who had sheltered him after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. His last known words included 'Let not poor Nelly starve' — protecting his mistress Nell Gwyn.

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    Why Did Charles Succeed — and Why Did His Legacy Unravel?