The Glorious Revolution of 1688–89: Teaching Activities
The Glorious Revolution took place in 1688–89, not 1686. William of Orange landed in England in November 1688; James II fled; the Convention offered the crown to William and Mary in February 1689. Parliament enacted the Bill of Rights later that year. These dates are a starting point, not a complete account of what happened across England, Scotland and Ireland.
What pupils should be able to explain
- Distinguish the events of 1688 from the constitutional settlement of 1689.
- Explain why the change of monarch affected Parliament's relationship with the Crown.
- Test the label “Glorious Revolution” against different perspectives. The settlement was neither bloodless across all the kingdoms nor a grant of equal political rights to everyone.
A 60-minute source-led lesson
Starter — 10 minutes. Put these dates on the board: 1685, 1688, 1689. Ask pupils which one marks James II's accession, William's landing and the Bill of Rights. Let them revise their answers after reading the sources below.
Source inquiry — 20 minutes. In pairs, read UK Parliament's account of William's invasion and James's flight. Ask: what happened, who made the decisions and what does the source leave unclear? Have pupils distinguish an event from a later interpretation of it.
Constitutional change — 20 minutes. Use Parliament's explanation of the Declaration and Bill of Rights. Ask pupils to identify two powers or liberties asserted against the Crown, then explain why the Bill of Rights of 1689 was not a declaration of universal rights. Avoid suggesting that a modern democracy appeared at once.
Plenary — 10 minutes. Pupils write a short answer to: “For whom was the Revolution glorious?” Require one dated event, one constitutional consequence and one limitation of the traditional label.
Adaptation and assessment
For younger pupils or learners needing support, provide a three-event timeline and a glossary for *Convention*, *abdication* and *Parliament*. For extension, compare the English settlement with events in Scotland or Ireland and ask how the same label may conceal different experiences. Assess whether pupils separate what happened in 1688 from legislation passed in 1689 and support their judgement with evidence.
These are classroom activity ideas, not a downloadable lesson pack or an account of a real class that has been taught.
Sources and evidence
- UK Parliament: The Glorious Revolution — overview and chronology.
- UK Parliament: Invasion and desertion — William's landing and James's departure.
- UK Parliament: The Convention and Bill of Rights — the 1689 settlement and its limits.