Declaration of Indulgence
Quick Summary
The Declaration of Indulgence was a controversial proclamation issued by King James II of England in 1687 and again in April 1688. It aimed to suspend laws penalizing religious minorities, specifically Nonconformists and Roman Catholics. This move alienated the largely Protestant population and led to significant opposition, including a petition against it by the Archbishop of Canterbury and six other bishops, who were subsequently prosecuted.1
The second issuance of the Declaration coincided with the birth of a son to James II's Catholic queen, which threatened a perpetual continuation of his policies. This confluence of events prompted seven prominent Englishmen to invite William of Orange to intervene. The subsequent events of 1688–89, known as the Glorious Revolution, led to James II's deposition and the joint accession of William III and Mary II. This revolution permanently established Parliament as the ruling power, shifting England towards a constitutional monarchy. The Toleration Act of 1689, passed shortly after, granted freedom of worship to Protestant Nonconformists but did not extend to Roman Catholics.124
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United KingdomWar and governmentIn 1672 Charles promulgated the Declaration of Indulgence, which suspended the penal code against all religious Nonconformists, Catholic and Dissenter alike. But a declaration of toleration could not bring together these mortal enemies, and the king found himself faced by a unified Protestant front. Parliamentary Anglicans would not vote money…
Read MoreIn 1672 Charles promulgated the Declaration of Indulgence, which suspended the penal code against all religious Nonconformists, Catholic and Dissenter alike. But a declaration of toleration could not bring together these mortal enemies, and the king found himself faced by a unified Protestant front. Parliamentary Anglicans would not vote money…
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Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st earl of ShaftesburyOffice under Charles II…revenue for naval preparations; the Declaration of Indulgence of the same year; and the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672–74). The first of these is now known to have been the responsibility of Sir Thomas Clifford; the second reflected his consistent desire to secure toleration for Dissenters (religious groups that did not…
Read More…revenue for naval preparations; the Declaration of Indulgence of the same year; and the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672–74). The first of these is now known to have been the responsibility of Sir Thomas Clifford; the second reflected his consistent desire to secure toleration for Dissenters (religious groups that did not…
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James II…April James issued the so-called Declaration of Indulgence, suspending the laws against Roman Catholics and Protestant dissenters alike; in July he dissolved Parliament, and in September he launched an intensive campaign to win over the Protestant dissenters and with their aid secure a new Parliament more amenable to his wishes.
Read More…April James issued the so-called Declaration of Indulgence, suspending the laws against Roman Catholics and Protestant dissenters alike; in July he dissolved Parliament, and in September he launched an intensive campaign to win over the Protestant dissenters and with their aid secure a new Parliament more amenable to his wishes.
Read More- United KingdomChurch and king
In 1687 he reissued the Declaration of Indulgence, which suspended the penal laws against Catholics and Dissenters. This was a temporary measure, for James hoped that his next Parliament would repeal the penal code in its entirety. To that end he began a systematic investigation of the parliamentary boroughs, restricting…
Read MoreIn 1687 he reissued the Declaration of Indulgence, which suspended the penal laws against Catholics and Dissenters. This was a temporary measure, for James hoped that his next Parliament would repeal the penal code in its entirety. To that end he began a systematic investigation of the parliamentary boroughs, restricting…
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Thomas KenIn 1688 James reissued his Declaration of Indulgence for the second consecutive year. Though it seemed to promise toleration for Protestant dissenters, it was actually intended to win them to Roman Catholicism. Ken and six other bishops not only refused to publish it in their dioceses but published instead a…
Read MoreIn 1688 James reissued his Declaration of Indulgence for the second consecutive year. Though it seemed to promise toleration for Protestant dissenters, it was actually intended to win them to Roman Catholicism. Ken and six other bishops not only refused to publish it in their dioceses but published instead a…
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William Sancroft…clergy to commend James’s second Declaration of Indulgence (April 1688), which suspended religious and civil restrictions against Roman Catholics and Protestant dissenters. Because the restrictions had been imposed by parliamentary statute, Sancroft alleged that the declaration was unconstitutional. James responded by imprisoning the bishops in the Tower of London and…
Read More…clergy to commend James’s second Declaration of Indulgence (April 1688), which suspended religious and civil restrictions against Roman Catholics and Protestant dissenters. Because the restrictions had been imposed by parliamentary statute, Sancroft alleged that the declaration was unconstitutional. James responded by imprisoning the bishops in the Tower of London and…
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