Declaration of Indulgence

Definition

The Declaration of Indulgence was a proclamation issued by King James II of England in 1687 and 1688, which suspended penal laws against Catholic and Protestant nonconformist religious practices. It was an attempt to promote religious tolerance and secure the position of Catholics in the English Empire.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Declaration of Indulgence was issued by King James II in an attempt to secure the position of Catholics in the English Empire and promote religious tolerance.
2. It suspended the penal laws that had previously imposed civil disabilities on Catholics and Protestant dissenters, allowing them to practice their religion freely.
3. The declaration was met with resistance from the Anglican-dominated Parliament, who saw it as an overreach of the monarch's power and a threat to the established Church of England.
4. The Declaration of Indulgence was eventually withdrawn in 1688, contributing to the events that led to the Glorious Revolution and the overthrow of James II.
5. The failure of the Declaration of Indulgence highlighted the tensions between the monarchy's desire for religious tolerance and the Parliament's commitment to the established Church of England.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and significance of the Declaration of Indulgence in the context of the Glorious Revolution.
  • The Declaration of Indulgence was issued by King James II in an attempt to promote religious tolerance and secure the position of Catholics in the English Empire. However, it was met with resistance from the Anglican-dominated Parliament, who saw it as an overreach of the monarch's power and a threat to the established Church of England. The failure of the Declaration of Indulgence contributed to the events that led to the Glorious Revolution, which ultimately resulted in the overthrow of James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.
• Analyze the impact of the Declaration of Indulgence on the religious and political landscape of the English Empire.
  • The Declaration of Indulgence represented a significant shift in the religious and political dynamics of the English Empire. By suspending the penal laws that had previously restricted the religious practices of Catholics and Protestant dissenters, the declaration aimed to promote religious tolerance and secure the position of Catholics. However, this move was seen as a threat to the established Church of England and the power of the Anglican-dominated Parliament. The resistance to the declaration highlighted the ongoing tensions between the monarchy's desire for religious tolerance and the Parliament's commitment to the established church, ultimately contributing to the events that led to the Glorious Revolution and the overthrow of King James II.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the Declaration of Indulgence on the development of religious freedom and the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament in the English Empire.
  • The Declaration of Indulgence had significant long-term implications for the development of religious freedom and the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament in the English Empire. While the declaration represented a momentary attempt to promote religious tolerance, its failure highlighted the deep-seated tensions between the monarchy's desire for religious pluralism and the Parliament's commitment to the established Church of England. The events surrounding the declaration ultimately contributed to the Glorious Revolution, which led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy and the strengthening of Parliament's role in governing the empire. This, in turn, paved the way for gradual advancements in religious freedom and the gradual separation of church and state, though the process was slow and often fraught with conflict. The Declaration of Indulgence, therefore, marked a significant turning point in the ongoing struggle for religious tolerance and the balance of power between the monarchy and Parliament in the English Empire.

Related terms

Penal Laws: A series of laws passed in England and Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries that imposed various civil disabilities on Catholics and Protestant dissenters, restricting their religious, political, and economic activities.

Religious Tolerance:

The ability to accept and respect the religious beliefs and practices of others, even if they differ from one's own.

English Empire: The global network of territories and colonies controlled and governed by the Kingdom of England, which later became part of the United Kingdom.