OCR A Level History A Unit Group 1 British period study and enquiry: The Making of Georgian Britain 1678-c.1760 June 2019 question paper (Y109)

Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that

James II’s policy towards the non-conformists was a success.

Source A: A Tory MP comments on James’ proposals to take away the Test Act and penal laws.

The King, having used all the means, both of threats and persuasions, to bring the Parliament men to comply in taking away the Test Act and the penal laws, and all to no purpose, thought it not safe to call the Parliament as it was appointed, and therefore declared in council upon 18^th March that for weighty considerations the Parliament should be prorogued until 22^nd November. His Majesty declared at the same time that uniformity of religion not having been able to be effected by the endeavours of his four predecessors, assisted by their Parliaments, he was now resolved to issue out a declaration for toleration or liberty of conscience to all dissenters, hoping it would contribute to the peace and quiet of his kingdom.

Sir John Reresby, Memoirs, March 1687

Source B: James II issues the First Declaration of Indulgence.

We cannot but heartily wish, as it will be easily believed, that all people of our dominions were members of the Catholic Church, yet we humbly thank Almighty God it is and hath long been our constant sense and opinion, that conscience ought not to be constrained, nor people forced in matters of mere religion. It has ever been directly contrary to our inclination, as we think it is to the interests of government, which destroys by despoiling trade, depopulating countries and discouraging strangers; and final, that it never obtained the end for which it was employed.

Declaration of Indulgence, April 1687

Source C: A Deputy Lieutenant responds to questions about the repeal of the Test Act and penal laws.

I ever was and still am of the opinion that no human laws whatsoever either ought or can exercise an absolute dominion over the judgement and consciences of men, and therefore ought not to inflict any manner of punishment for that over which they neither have nor can have any jurisdiction, wherefore I shall willingly assent to the taking off all such penal laws which debar people from the free exercise of their consciences in the religious worship of almighty God. But the Test which I humbly conceive is at present, by law, the greatest security of the Church of England, of which I profess myself an unworthy member, I cannot consent to repeal without an equivalent security for them established in parliament.

Sir Faire Medow Penyston, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire responds to questions about the repeal of the Test Act and penal laws, 1687

Source D: A Whig bishop comments on Archbishop Sancroft and six bishops’ petition to the king over the Second Declaration of Indulgence.

That their refusal proceeded not from any disrespect to his Majesty, or unwillingness to show favour to Dissenters; but, the Declaration being founded on a dispensing power which was known to be illegal and destructive both to Church and State, they could not in prudence, honour, and conscience make themselves so far parties to it as the publication of it in Divine service must amount to.

Bishop Gilbert Burnet, A History of His Own Time