STEPS LEADING TO THE 'GLORIOUS REVOLUTION' OF 1688

      In 1660 the Charles II was restored to the throne in England and he took up residence there. He never visited Scotland again and was content to leave the governance there to a series of commissioners. All legislation passed since 1633 was repealed releasing the monarchy from the 'fetter' of the Covenant and other laws that were so dearly won two decades earlier. The episcopacy was restored but the liturgy was toned down somewhat. The Covenanters living primarily in Ayrshire and the Borders areas defected from the established church in rebellion. Prevented from holding services in their churches they took to outdoor services called 'conventicles'. The Government sought to suppress these and armed conflict resulted. The military solution failed to be effective against these fanatics and it is estimated that 18,000 people died from these persecutions between 1661 and 1688. Among those who were charged with enforcing the Government edicts in these matters was John Graham of Claverhouse, later Viscount Dundee, alternately known as 'Bluidy Clavers' or 'Bonnie Dundee.' He would soon be heard of in the Highlands as well as the Lowlands.

      In 1679 the King's commissioner in Scotland was replaced by James, Duke of Monmouth, illegitimate son of Charles II, who was responsible for some the harshest treatment of the Covenanters. A year later the job was given to James, Duke of York, the younger brother of Charles II. Although his service in Scotland is said to have been creditable he had embraced Roman Catholicism in 1668 with a fervour that is typical of the convert. Charles II did so as well for French gold but kept it secret. James had married Anne Hyde, a commoner in 1662 (just a month before the birth of his daughter and future queen, Mary). In 1673 he remarried the devout Catholic, Mary of Modena. This and other actions taken by the brothers led the English Parliament to pass the Test Act of 1681 which denied public office to anyone not an Anglican.

      Charles died without legitimate progeny in 1685 and was succeeded by his brother as James VII of Scotland and II of England. However, his ascension increased the concern on the part of Protestants including his nephew, the Duke of Monmouth who led a rebellion against him in 1685. This action was defeated and Monmouth was executed. The concern of Protestants was allayed somewhat in the knowledge that his daughter, Mary had married her Protestant cousin, Prince William of Orange at age 15 and that his other daughter, Anne had married Protestant Prince George of Denmark. Thus, the protestant succession seemed to be assured. However, in June 1688, Queen Mary gave birth to a son, James Francis Edward, later known as the 'Old Pretender.' This event caused great consternation among the Protestants who cheered when his son-in-law, William of Orange landed in November at Torbay with a substantial force including the Scots Brigade commanded by General Hugh Mackay of Scourie. Of course, this action had been solicited by a series of leading politicians. As William marched toward London, he was hailed everywhere as a deliverer while James was deserted by his ministers and troops and even his daughter, Anne.

      King James' response is puzzling. He sent his queen and infant son to France at the first sign of trouble and then he himself fled there where he was welcomed by Louis XIV who settled a small pension on him. The revolution seemed to have succeeded without significant bloodshed. That would soon change with the initiation of the Jacobite wars that would plague Britain for the next fifty years. Note: the term Jacobite comes from the Latin word for 'James' -- Jacobus.