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BRITISH RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES
British Bill of Rights 1689
The official name of the British Bill
of Rights is:
An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the
Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown.
The Bill of Rights is one of the foundations of British
constitutional law.
Go here if you're looking for the
American Bill of Rights.
You can
read the full text of the
British Bill of Rights here (Provided
by The British National Archives.)
Here is a
high resolution image of the document.
You are welcome to
visit the British National Archives. Certainly worth a trip.
While you're there, check out the family records. You can purchase a
certificate of any entry. You can even order documents in advance.
Back to the Bill of Rights.
Why Was the Bill of
Rights Written?
The English wanted to put on record the outcome of the long quarrel
between the monarchs on one side and the English people and the
Parliament on the other side.
What Does the British
Bill of Rights Say?
It declares that some of
James II's doings were
unlawful, that English
people have certain civil and political rights, and that therefore
James passes on his ruling powers to
William III and
Mary II.
The Bill
then establishes the rightful heirs to the throne: First Mary's
children, then Princess Anne and then her children.
Last but not least, the Bill proclaims
that no Roman Catholic could become ruler over England ever again.
Impact of the Bill of
Rights
The Bill made Parliament the ruling power of England.
The
Act of Settlement (1701)
was an add-on to the Bill of Rights.
More History
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