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