The Glorious Revolution

The definitive popular account of the landmark event in British history by an acclaimed young historian.

In 1688, a group of leading politicians invited the Dutch prince William of Orange over to England to challenge the rule of the catholic James II. When James's army deserted him he fled to France, leaving the throne open to William and Mary. During the following year a series of bills were passed which many believe marked the triumph of constitutional monarchy as a system of government. In this radical new interpretation of the Glorious Revolution, Edward Vallance challenges the view that it was a bloodless coup in the name of progress and wonders whether in fact it created as many problems as it addressed. Certainly in Scotland and Ireland the Revolution was characterised by warfare and massacre. Beautifully written, full of lively pen portraits of contemporary characters and evocative of the increasing climate of fear at the threat of popery, this new book fills a gap in the popular history market and sets to elevate Edward Vallance to the highest league of popular historians.

“'Vivid pen portraits ofcontemporary characters . . . a colourful, livelyaccount' Herald 'Well researched and immenselyreadable. His judicious use of details makes history comealive . . . A highly accomplished account of a decisivechapter in our national story' Daily Express 'Gripping. . . [Vallance] writes with considerable narrative flair. . . a tremendously exciting introduction to the period'Telegraph 'Lucid and perceptive' Blair Worden, LiteraryReview'An account that is balanced without being anodyne, wide-ranging without being superficial, assured without beingcomplacent . . . An up-to-date and well informednarrative' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT'Gripping . . . [Vallance] writes withconsiderable”

An account that is balanced without being anodyne, wide-ranging without being superficial, assured without being complacent . . . An up-to-date and well informed narrative - TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

Gripping . . . [Vallance] writes with considerable narrative flair . . . a tremendously exciting introduction to the period - TELEGRAPH

Lucid and perceptive - Blair Worden, LITERARY REVIEW

Vivid pen portraits of contemporary characters . . . a colourful, lively account - HERALD

Edward Vallance completed his B.A and PhD at Balliol College, Oxford. From 2000 to 2002 he was the De Velling Willis Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield. He is now a lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Liverpool.

Author Location: Liverpool

The definitive popular account of the landmark event in British history by an acclaimed young historian.In 1688, a group of leading politicians invited the Dutch prince William of Orange over to England to challenge the rule of the catholic James II. When James's army deserted him he fled to France, leaving the throne open to William and Mary. During the following year a series of bills were passed which many believe marked the triumph of constitutional monarchy as a system of government. In this radical new interpretation of the Glorious Revolution, Edward Vallance challenges the view that it was a bloodless coup in the name of progress and wonders whether in fact it created as many problems as it addressed. Certainly in Scotland and Ireland the Revolution was characterised by warfare and massacre. Beautifully written, full of lively pen portraits of contemporary characters and evocative of the increasing climate of fear at the threat of popery, this new book fills a gap in the popular history market and sets to elevate Edward Vallance to the highest league of popular historians.

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