What role did the Glorious Revolution of 1688 play in the development of Parliament?

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The Glorious Revolution of 1688–89 was a pivotal turning point that permanently established Parliament as the supreme ruling power in England, marking the transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.12

By accepting the Declaration of Rights as a condition of their accession, William III and Mary II agreed to govern according to parliamentary law rather than royal prerogative. This shift was codified in the Bill of Rights, which:12

  • Abolished the monarch's power to suspend or dispense with laws without parliamentary consent.32
  • Prohibited the levying of taxes or the maintenance of a standing army during peacetime without specific parliamentary authorization.32
  • Ensured free elections and protected freedom of speech for members of Parliament.3

Ultimately, the revolution rendered the monarchy conditional on the will of Parliament, reinforcing the concept of government as a social contract between the sovereign and the people.32