The Dutch invade England – The Glorious Revolution of 1688

The Dutch successfully invaded, in what has become one of the fibs of history, as it wasn’t called an invasion but “The Glorious Revolution”.

Basically, the differences are as follows:

• A revolution is a fundamental and relatively sudden change in political power and political organization. It happens when the population revolts against the government, typically due to perceived oppression or political incompetence.

• An invasion is a military offensive in which large numbers of one country aggressively enter the territory of another. Their aim is to either conquer, liberate or re-establish authority over that territory; or to gain concessions from that country.

Now let me explain what happened and then you can decide whether it was an invasion or a revolution?

The Background in England

In England at the time Protestant Parliamentarians were worried that King James II, a Catholic, was promoting Catholics to positions of power.  Now, if you recall that was what the civil war thirty years before was all about.  Parliament did not want to go through all that again, especially as last time they had won!  More importantly Parliament’s feelings were mirrored by the people, so a solution had to be found.

Meanwhile …

Across the North Sea, in Holland, Prince William of Orange had married Mary, the daughter of James II, and, most importantly, both were Protestant. 

William was the Stadholder of Holland, a position to which he had been appointed by both the Provincial Estates and the States-General, the Dutch Parliaments.  Therefore, he understood what the English Parliament wanted.  In fact, he realised that as King of England he would have greater leeway in England than he had in Holland. 

There was a further matter that has to be added to this.  The fact that ever since he became Stadholder on his 18^th birthday, back in 1672, he had continuously been fighting the French.  The French were now his mortal enemy, therefore an alliance with England would give him the military strength he needed.

It therefore looked like a win, win for both sides, they just had to achieve it.

The invasion of England

William’s marriage to Mary, King James’ daughter, gave them a legitimate link. Using this link seven parliamentarians invited William and Mary to England.  William had no idea of the reception he would get so decided, for safety, to put together an enormous armada of 463 ships.  He then sailed this vast armada all along the Channel to Torbay, so it could be seen by people in the south of England.  When he finally reached Torbay on 5^th November 1688, he landed over 14,000 men and started his march cross country to London.

This was the risky bit, especially as King James had sent an army of 30,000 men to stop him.

However, as William reached each town he was welcomed by supportive crowds.

This affected the army James had sent to stop him, as, unfortunately, over 26,000 of them deserted! James got the message, disbanded his army, and left the country for France, leaving the throne to his daughter and her husband, William.

So, the question for you is:

1. Was it a real revolution, as happily nobody died?

or

•  Did the Dutch successfully invade England?

Of course, as we are English and don’t want to be reminded that anybody could invade us, we called it “The Glorious Revolution”!

Isn’t History Fun?

10 Questions to discuss:

1. 1. Labels and Perspectives: How does labeling the event as a “Glorious Revolution” shape public perception compared to calling it an “invasion”? Do these terms influence historical interpretations?
   2. Internal vs. External Forces: While the blog emphasizes parliamentary concerns, was the event solely driven by English anxieties, or did external factors like William’s ambitions and French rivalry play a crucial role?
   3. Legitimacy and Consent: Did the invitation by English parliamentarians provide sufficient legitimacy for William’s intervention, or was it ultimately an act of conquest disguised by political maneuvering?
   4. Bloodless Revolution? While the blog downplays violence, were there any casualties or conflicts during the event, even outside direct battles? Could the lack of widespread violence be attributed to specific factors?
   5. Public Support and Dissent: To what extent did the English populace actively support or oppose William’s arrival, beyond the welcoming crowds mentioned? Were there dissenting voices or regions loyal to James II?
   6. Political Repercussions: What were the immediate and long-term political consequences of the “Glorious Revolution” for England, including changes in governance, religious policies, and power dynamics?
   7. European Impact: How did the event affect political alliances and conflicts within Europe, particularly regarding the ongoing rivalry between England and France?
   8. Beyond England: Were there any similar episodes of regime change in other European countries during this period, and how did they compare to the English case?
   9. Contemporary Debates: Are there ongoing historical debates or controversies surrounding the event’s nature as a revolution or invasion? How do historians approach these differing perspectives?
   10. Historical Legacy: How does the “Glorious Revolution” continue to be viewed and interpreted in contemporary discussions about political change, revolutions, and national identity?

These questions prompt deeper analysis and encourage you to consider various perspectives, going beyond the simplified “invasion vs. revolution” dichotomy presented in the blog.

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