Could it be said that William of Orange invented sectarianism??

Question

I believe he passed acts of law forbidding catholics to take the throne and there was another act about religuious toleration!!

Answer 1

It is unfortunate to lay the Bill of Rights soley at Bill 3's door basically it was the will of a now protestant country that disliked papal interference and the continuing threat of civil unrest that embraced the orange mans views and,after all he had invaded with a foreign force,allowed him to take up the throne and oversee the continuing transition to full parliamentary power over all the country from one elected body.The Act of Settlement that excludes catholics from the throne was actually introduced during Anne's reign thus introducing the Hanoverians who we have had ever since which begs the question what if ?

Answer 2

Parliament originates laws in England. The Monarch assents to them.

In December 1689, one of the most important constitutional documents in English history, the Bill of Rights, was passed. The Act—which restated and confirmed many provisions of the earlier Declaration of Right—established restrictions on the royal prerogative; it was provided, amongst other things, that the Sovereign could not suspend laws passed by Parliament, levy taxes without parliamentary consent, infringe the right to petition, raise a standing army during peacetime without parliamentary consent, deny the right to bear arms to Protestant subjects, unduly interfere with parliamentary elections, punish members of either House of Parliament for anything said during debates, require excessive bail or inflict cruel and unusual punishments. William was opposed to the imposition of such constraints, but he chose not to engage in a conflict with Parliament and agreed to abide by the statute.

The Bill of Rights also settled the question of succession to the Crown. After the death of either William or Mary, the other would continue to reign. Next in the line of succession was Mary II's sister, the Princess Anne, and her issue. Finally, any children William might have had by a subsequent marriage were included in the line of succession. Roman Catholics, as well as those who married Catholics, were excluded from the succession.

In effect, he either accepted the Bill or he wouldn't have been King. So don't blame him for that. England was run by Protestants at that time.

As for who invented Sectarianism, I would say the first time there was ever a religious war was first. I think the Romans were known for that (they spent some time feeding Christians to the lions, didn't they) but it likely was the first civilisation that had a state religion.

Answer 3

No - - - ever since the tussle over succession following the death of Edward the 6th the English had been touchy over the issue of their monarch's religion.  When Mary, Bloody Mary verified their worst fears, the English were relived when Protestant Elizabeth took the throne and upon her death breathed easier when firmly Anglican James became King.  Then a pair of scares - - - Charles I and 2 followed by the reign of James the 2nd.  William prompted/pushed  by Parliament merely ended the matter once & for all by enacting a law clearly stating that all future English Monarchs had to be irrevocably Protescent.  But Secretarism was up & kicking firmly from the time of Elizabeth the 1st.

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