James II—Parliament

Contemporary manuscript copy of Parliamentary proceedings and speeches from 22 January to 6 February 1688/9, in a scribal hand, red ruled margins, contemporary pagination, 100 pages, folio (335 x 220 mm), c.1689; spotting. Contemporary limp parchment wrappers; some staining, portion of upper cover discoloured by a bookplate or lettering-piece (no longer present).

acquisition: Hodgsons, 19 November 1959, lot 523

Proceedings and speeches of the convention parliament, providing legal authority to the glorious revolution and a milestone in British history. Most of this volume is given over to the crucial debate of both Houses on 6 February 1689, at the conclusion of which the Lords finally agreed that James had abdicated the throne, which was therefore free to be offered jointly to William of Orange and his wife, James's daughter Mary. This agreement formed the basis on which Parliament offered the crown to William and Mary on 13 February, at which time to Declaration of Rights was also read aloud.