Chapter X: Reign of James II

James's Speech to the Council--Rochester supersedes Halifax--Other
Changes in the Ministry--James Collects the Customs without
Parliament--French Pension continued--Scottish Parliament--Oates
and Dangerfield--Meeting of Parliament--It grants Revenue for
Life--Monmouth and Argyll--Argyll's Expedition--His Capture and
Execution--Monmouth's Expedition--He enters Taunton--Failure of
his Hopes--Battle of Sedgemoor--Execution of Monmouth--Cruelties
of Kirke and Jeffreys--The Bloody Assize--The Case of Lady Alice
Lisle--Decline of James's Power--He Breaks the Test Act--Revocation
of the Edict of Nantes--Prorogation of Parliament--Acquittal
of Delamere--Alienation of the Church--Parties at Court--The
Dispensing Power Asserted--Livings granted to Catholics--Court of
High Commission Revived--Army on Hounslow Heath--Trial of "Julian"
Johnson--James's Lawlessness in Scotland and Ireland--Declaration
of Indulgence--The Party of the Prince of Orange and the Princess
Mary--Expulsion of the Fellows of Magdalen College--New Declaration
of Indulgence--Protest of the Seven Bishops--Birth of the Prince of
Wales--Trial and Acquittal of the Bishops--Invitation to William
of Orange--Folly of James--William's Preparations--Blindness of
James, and Treachery of his Ministers--William's Declaration--James
convinced, makes Concessions--William lands at Torbay--His Advance
to Exeter--Churchill's Treason--Flight of the Princess Anne and her
Husband--James sends Commissioners to Treat with William--Flight
of James--Riots in London--Return of James--His Final Flight to
France--The Convention--The Succession Question--Declaration of
Rights--William and Mary joint Sovereigns 289