Devon's role in the Glorious Revolution: A county's stand for liberty

The Glorious Revolution of 1688 was a pivotal moment in English history, marking a peaceful transition of power that ultimately led to the establishment of constitutional monarchy and the protection of individual rights. Devon played a significant role in this historic event. In this article, we will explore the part Devon played in the Glorious Revolution and the impact it had on this picturesque region.

The Glorious Revolution, also known as the Revolution of 1688, stands as a watershed moment in British history. This bloodless coup, orchestrated to overthrow the Catholic King James II and enthrone his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange, reshaped the political and constitutional landscape of England and, by extension, the entire United Kingdom. This pivotal event, marked by a profound shift of power from the monarchy to Parliament, laid the foundation for constitutional monarchy and modern democracy. In this article, we will delve into the causes, key events, and lasting consequences of the Glorious Revolution.

The Glorious Revolution was primarily driven by political, religious, and dynastic factors. King James II's Catholicism and his attempts to promote the Catholic faith and consolidate absolute royal power in a predominantly Protestant nation had raised alarm among various factions in England. Many feared the reestablishment of Catholicism, which had been suppressed in the previous century during the English Civil War and the Interregnum.

Additionally, James II's arbitrary rule and dissolution of Parliament in 1685 had angered many English nobles and politicians who wished to curb the monarch's power and protect the rights of Parliament. The divisions between the Whigs, who supported constitutional government and Protestantism, and the Tories, who were more inclined to support the king, further exacerbated the political tensions.

Devon, like much of England, was divided in its allegiances during the Glorious Revolution. While there were supporters of James II in the county, there were also strong pockets of resistance to his rule, driven by a desire to protect Protestantism and the constitutional rights of English subjects.

The two main political factions in England at the time were the Whigs and the Tories. The Whigs were in favour of the Protestant cause and supported the rights of Parliament over the monarchy. The Tories, on the other hand, were often more sympathetic to James II. In Devon, the political landscape was similarly divided. The Whigs found support in the towns and among the more urbanised population, while the Tories often had strongholds in the rural areas.

Exeter, the county town of Devon, was a stronghold of Whig support during the Glorious Revolution. The city's inhabitants were determined to resist any attempt by James II to impose his Catholic policies. In November 1688, just before the Revolution fully unfolded, the city of Exeter closed its gates to representatives of James II and declared for the Protestant cause. This marked a significant turning point in Devon's involvement in the Revolution.

One of the most momentous events in Devon's role in the Glorious Revolution was the arrival of William of Orange at Brixham. William's successful landing on 5^th November, 1688, marked the beginning of his campaign to challenge James II's rule. The people of Devon, along with other English supporters, flocked to William's banner, demonstrating their commitment to the cause of Protestantism and constitutional government.

He was welcomed in South West England - which had suffered the retribution of James's 'Bloody Assize' following the defeat of the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion at Sedgemoor, Somerset, in 1685 - and was only briefly resisted by a few of James's Irish Catholic troops at Reading, west of London. These were routed when the citizens of Reading also turned on them and William arrived at St James's, London, on 18th December, 1688. 

The Glorious Revolution was a triumph for the principles of parliamentary government and religious tolerance. It led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights in 1689, which greatly limited the powers of the monarch and expanded the rights of Parliament and the people. This legacy of constitutional monarchy and individual liberties still shapes the political and legal landscape of modern Britain.

Devon's part in the Glorious Revolution was a reflection of the broader struggle for liberty and constitutional government in England. The county's stand for Protestantism and resistance to James II's rule, exemplified by Exeter's decision to close its gates and the landing of William of Orange at Brixham, played a vital role in shaping the outcome of the Revolution. The principles that emerged from this momentous period in history continue to underpin the political and legal systems of the United Kingdom today, making the Glorious Revolution a defining moment in Devon's history and the history of the nation.