6 February – the Convention Parliament reads the
Declaration of Right to
William of Orange and his wife,
Mary (daughter of the exiled James II) in formally offering them the throne.
Williamite War in Ireland:
Siege of Derry: James II arrives at the gates of
Derry and asks for its surrender. This is refused by Majors Henry Baker and
George Walker, who have taken over command of its defences from the Governor
Robert Lundy.[6]
RegicideEdmund Ludlow sets out from Switzerland to form a nucleus of supporters of the
Good Old Cause in London, but is forced back into exile in November.[8]
28 July – relief of the
Siege of Derry after 105 days: English sailors break through a floating boom across the
River Foyle to end the Siege.[9]
1 August –
nonjuring schism in the Church of England:
Archbishop of CanterburyWilliam Sancroft, along with eight bishops and around 400 other clergymen, is suspended for refusing to swear allegiance to William and Mary. He is dismissed from office the following year.[10]
16 December – the
Bill of Rights (An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown), drawn up by the Convention Parliament, receives
royal assent; it will remain substantially in force into the 21st century.
Gardens at
Levens Hall in the north-west begin to be laid out; the plan remains substantially unaltered into the 21st century and includes one of the country's earliest
ha-has.