Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that the attempts to exclude James, Duke of York, from the throne were a serious threat to his
succession.
Source A: A Whig bishop comments on the formation of the Whig Party.
A great party was formed, who declared more heartily for the Protestant religion and for the interest of England. The earl of Shaftesbury opened many of their eyes and let them know the designs of the court; and indeed they were then so visible that there were enough seen without such secret intelligence to convince the most incredulous. These chief men preserved the nation from a deceitful and practising court, and from a corrupt House of Commons; and by their skill and firmness, they from a small number who began the opposition, grew at last to be the majority.
Gilbert Burnet, History of His Own Time, Vol II
Source B: Charles II gives assurances to Parliament about the security of Protestantism.
I am as ready to join with you in all the ways and means that may establish a firm security of the Protestant religion as your own hearts can wish. And this not only during my time, of which I am sure you have no fear, but in future ages, even to the end of the world.
And therefore I am come to assure you that whatsoever Bills you shall present, to be passed into laws, to make you safe in the reign of my successor (so they tend not to impeach the right of succession, nor the descent of the Crown in the true line; and so as they restrain not my power, nor the just rights of any Protestant successor) shall find from me a ready concurrence.
Charles II, speech to Parliament, 9 November 1678
Source C: Charles II prorogues Parliament in 1678.
My Lords and Gentlemen: It is with great unwillingness that I come this day to tell you, I intend to prorogue you. I think all of you are witnesses that I have been ill used; the particulars of it I intend to acquaint you with at a more convenient time. In the meantime, I do assure you that I will immediately enter upon the disbanding of the army, and let all the world see that there is nothing that I intend but for the good of the kingdom, and for the safety of religion. I shall take all the care which lies in my power, for the security of religion, and the maintenance of it as it is now established.
Charles II, speech to Parliament 30 December 1678
Source D: The second Exclusion Bill, 1680.
Whereas James, Duke of York, is notoriously known to have been perverted from the Protestant to the popish religion, whereby not only great encouragement hath been given to the popish party to enter into and carry on most devilish and horrid plots and conspiracies for the destruction of his Majesty’s sacred person and government, and for the extirpation* of the true Protestant religion, but also, if the said duke should succeed to the imperial crown of this realm, nothing is more manifest than that a total change of religion within these kingdoms would ensue, for the prevention whereof be it enacted that the said James, Duke of York, shall be and is by authority of this present parliament excluded and made for ever incapable to inherit, possess or enjoy the imperial crown of this realm and of the kingdom of Ireland.
*extirpation - to remove or destroy totally
Manuscripts of the House of Lords, 1678–1688
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Answer
