Declaration of Indulgence (1687) facts for kids
The Declaration of Indulgence was a special announcement made by King James II in 1687. It was also known as the Declaration for Liberty of Conscience. This declaration aimed to give people more freedom of religion in England and Scotland.
King James II wanted to stop laws that punished people for not following the official Church of England. These laws were called "penal laws." The Declaration allowed people to worship in their own homes or churches. It also meant people did not have to take religious promises to get government jobs.
The King used his special "royal suspending power" to pause these old laws. This gave more freedom to different Christian groups, both Catholics and Protestants. Many people, including William Penn, supported this declaration. However, many Anglicans (members of the Church of England) were against it. They worried the King had too much power and that the declaration had no limits.
The Declaration in 1687
In Scotland, some Presbyterians first said no to the Declaration of Indulgence. So, King James re-issued it in June. This new version gave Presbyterians the same freedoms as Catholics. Most Presbyterians then accepted it, except for a group called the Covenanters.
The Declaration also stated that the King had "absolute power." This meant he believed everyone should obey him without question. This idea supported an absolute monarchy, where the king has total control.
In England, most non-conformists (Protestants who were not Anglicans) liked the declaration. But like in Scotland, some Presbyterians were careful. They worried that their new freedoms depended only on the King's wishes, not on a lasting law.
The Declaration in 1688
King James II reissued the English Declaration of Indulgence in April 1688. This led to strong opposition from Anglicans. Very few church leaders read the Declaration aloud in their churches.
William Sancroft, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury (a very important church leader), and six other bishops told the King the Declaration was illegal. King James then had these seven bishops put on trial. He accused them of rebellion. However, the bishops were found not guilty.
Many Presbyterians still doubted the King's true reasons. But other groups, like the Quakers and Baptists, thanked the King for the Declaration.
The declarations became invalid when King James II lost his throne. This happened during the Glorious Revolution. Later, the Bill of Rights 1689 officially ended the King's power to suspend laws.
See also
- Religion in the United Kingdom
