“The Declaration of Rights,” which declared illegal James II’s arbitrary acts, compelled William and Mary and future monarchs to recognize the right of the people’s representatives, to dispose of the royal office, and to set limits on its powers.
Pretext for the Assembly
James II abdicated the government at left his thrown
In 1989, The prince of Orange took it upon himself to write letters to the spiritual and temporal lords of the kingdom who were protestant and other letters to several districts and organizations asking them to choose representatives to be sent to parliament to meet at Westminster
These representatives were to be chosen and sent to the council so that the religions, laws, and liberties of the people in the districts they represent would be fairly represented
This assembly’s purpose was to write a declaration of rights with the interest of their electors at the forefront of their minds
The Assembly’s Declarations
The king has no power to make or abolish laws without parliament’s consent
The king has no power to create new courts or act as a judge
The king no longer has the power to tax or appropriate funds without parliaments consent
Petitioning of the king by citizens made illegal
Keeping a standing army in England during peace time without Parliament’s consent made illegal but made the possession of firearms by protestants for protection legal
Election of members of Parliament made free
The proceedings in parliament not allowed to be questioned or challenged in any other
court
Excessive bail, fines, and punishment made illegal
Jurors made to be circulated and jurors which pass on men in trial for treason ought to be freeholders
All promises to pay fines before conviction are void
Parliament should meet frequently in order to keep up with all the grievances, amendments and laws
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