The “Glorious” Revolution’s Inglorious Religious Commitment: Why Parliamentary Rule Failed to Secure Religious Liberty

Abstract Many scholars contend that the “Glorious” Revolution of 1688 restrained governmental abuses in Britain by preventing Crown from engaging irresponsible behavior. However, question whether it imposed similar restraints on Parliament has received limited scrutiny. This oversight applies particular to religious sphere and outside England. Rather than create general conditions for liberty, we institutional legacy was biased toward those winning coalition its positive effect liberty is overstated. Analyzing Glorious religion Scotland, use narrative evidence systematic evaluation legislation show that, rather establishing Britain, revolution transferred power one denomination other. The arbitrary repression symptomatic prerevolutionary persisted because liberties enshrined depended largely a group member coalition. Whereas Episcopalians suppressed Presbyterians prior 1688, afterward an alliance between Scottish English reinstated Presbyterianism as established Church. reversal allowed suppress Episcopalians. Religious tolerance attendant civil rights expanded only with secularization nineteenth century when political representation other denominations religions increased factionalism undercut Presbyterian monopoly.