1. Parliament's Assertion of Supremacy: The revolution resulted in the supremacy of Parliament over the monarch. The Bill of Rights, passed in 1689, established that the monarch could not pass or suspend laws without the consent of Parliament. This significantly limited the power of the monarch and demonstrated that the power to govern rested with the people's representatives rather than the divine right of kings.
2. Right to Depose the Monarch: The revolution established the principle that if a monarch violated the laws and constitutional principles of the realm, they could be deposed. The dethronement of King James II and the subsequent offer of the throne to his daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange, exemplified this right. It challenged the notion that kings were answerable only to God and reinforced the idea that rulers derived their authority from the consent of the governed.
3. Rejection of Divine Right Doctrines: The Glorious Revolution led to a shift in political and religious thinking. Previously, the divine right of kings had been supported by the belief that kings were appointed by God and ruled by divine authority. However, after the revolution, these doctrines lost influence, and the idea that kings were subject to the law gained prominence.
4. Establishment of Constitutional Monarchy: The revolution paved the way for a new constitutional settlement that redefined the relationship between the monarch, Parliament, and the people. The monarch's power became more limited, and constitutional provisions were put in place to protect the rights and liberties of individuals. This constitutional monarchy ensured that the sovereign was bound by the rule of law rather than acting according to their own divine right.
By challenging the absolute power of the monarch, establishing parliamentary sovereignty, and rejecting the divine right doctrines, the Glorious Revolution profoundly undermined the concept of divine right of kings. It set a precedent for limited monarchy and the democratic principles that would continue to shape the development of constitutional governance in England and influence democratic movements worldwide.