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Year 8

The Glorious Revolution in Scotland and Ireland

I can explain how Scotland and Ireland reacted to the deposition of James II.

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Year 8

The Glorious Revolution in Scotland and Ireland

I can explain how Scotland and Ireland reacted to the deposition of James II.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The events of 1688-9 swiftly became known as the 'Glorious Revolution', coined by the MP John Hampden.
  2. In Scotland some people who supported James II became known as the Jacobites and rebelled, but were defeated by 1690.
  3. James II landed in Ireland with French backing with the aim of reclaiming his throne.
  4. The Irish parliament declared that James II remained king and James built his army in Ireland.
  5. William of Orange defeated James II at the Battle of Boyne in July 1690, ending his chances of reclaiming his throne.

Keywords

  • Episcopalian - a form of Protestantism where the Church is run by bishops

  • Jacobite - a supporter of the deposed James II and his descendants

Common misconception

All Scottish people at the time followed the same type of Protestantism.

Scotland at this time was experiencing a serious split in the Protestant religion between Episcopalians and Presbyterians. The Episcopalians supported James while the Presbyterians supported William III.


To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: The Glorious Revolution in Scotland and Ireland, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

A popular army museum website offers interesting insight into the Battle of the Boyne including several artefacts and primary sources that could be used to explore the Battle of the Boyne further.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which keyword describes a draft of a proposed law presented to Parliament for discussion?
Correct Answer: Bill, bill
Q2.
Complete the sentence with William's religion: In November 1688, William of Orange, son-in-law to James II, landed in England and James fled for France.
Correct Answer: Protestant, protestant, Anglican, anglican
Q3.
How did the ‘Invitation to William’ suggest to William of Orange that his takeover of England would have widespread support?
It was signed by leading Scotsmen representing the different important groups.
Correct answer: It was signed by leading Englishmen representing the different important groups.
It was signed by leading Irishmen representing the different important groups.
Q4.
Put the following events in chronological order.
1 - William set sail with over 200 ships and 40 000 men.
2 - William landed in Torbay in Devon.
3 - William gave a speech in Exeter assuring people he was supporting his wife.
4 - James gathered his army in Salisbury.
5 - William began his march on London and James pulled his back.
6 - Key members of James' government defected - including his daughter Anne.
7 - James fled to France under a Dutch guard.
Q5.
Complete the sentence: On 13th February 1689, the Parliament offered William and Mary the throne, stating that James II had abdicated when he abandoned his people.
Correct Answer: Convention, convention
Q6.
Which of the following did the 1688 Bill of Rights establish?
banned Protestants from becoming kings or queens of England
Correct answer: prevented the monarch from suspending laws and levying taxes
Correct answer: prevented the monarch from keeping a standing army in peacetime without consent
Correct answer: banned Catholics from becoming kings or queens of England
allowed the monarch to keep a standing army in peacetime without consent

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who coined the term 'Glorious Revolution'?
James II
Correct answer: John Hampden
William III
Mary II
Q2.
Complete the sentence: In Scotland, some people who supported James II became known as the and rebelled, but were defeated by 1690.
Correct Answer: Jacobites, jacobites, Jacobite, jacobite
Q3.
Complete the sentence: James II landed in Ireland with backing with the aim of reclaiming his throne.
Correct Answer: French, french
Q4.
Scotland at this time was experiencing a serious split in the Protestant religion. What were the names of the two sides?
Episcopalians and Anglicans
Presbyterians and Catholics
Correct answer: Episcopalians and Presbyterians
Presbyterians and Anglicans
Q5.
By 1689, what percentage of Ireland was Catholic?
25%
50%
Correct answer: 75%
100%
Q6.
What were the consequences of the Battle of the Boyne (1690)?
Correct answer: William emerged victorious.
James emerged victorious.
Correct answer: James earned himself the nickname in Ireland of ‘James the Coward’.
William earned himself the nickname in Ireland of ‘William the Coward’.
Correct answer: Louis XIV stopped funding efforts to help James regain his crown.

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