This is the fifth installment about my recent book, one that I am very excited about—Tracking the Storm. An excerpt from Chapter 5 follows below. You can download a pdf if you enjoy reading on your computer or also purchase a printed copy of the book.
The Glorious Revolution period came at the end of a tumultuous century in England. Exciting events like the founding of 3 colonies in the New World had been paired with religious and political turmoil at home. The middle of the century had seen England’s Civil War erupt between Parliament and the Monarch, Charles I. Subsequent decades had had an attempt of a return to normalcy during the Restoration, but the third phase of unraveling held true. Overseas, the colonies, now bolstered with the conquest of land between Virginia and New England, led by the dashing Duke of York, took on a more independent role as the crown dealt with issues at home.
In 1685, Charles II, the son of the dethroned and decapitated Charles I, had died suddenly through an accident while horseback riding. Charles II had struggled mightily during the unraveling years of the “Restoration” to maintain control, keep his independence and corral the antagonistic Parliament. By the same token, members of Parliament fought to grasp full control of the English system of government. Though they had requested Charles return to assume the monarchy (after it became clear that Parliament was not fully capable of directing the country), the legislative voice of the country was determined to control the monarchy.
At the same time, the religious struggles between the Catholics, the Anglicans and the more strident Puritans (Anglicans who were determined to purify the Anglican Church from any hint of Catholicism, hence the nickname), had intensified. So, the concern within the country wasn’t limited to how well Charles governed, but also included the religious choices, especially those of his brother James. Charles had not had any children, so it looked as if the crown would transition to James. Parliament had taken overt actions to control this fact, but now, with the death of Charles, James would become James II.
Two years later, with war erupting in the colonies, leaders in Parliament began to have discussions with Protestant William of Orange from The Netherlands. When James II announced his new wife was pregnant, the concerns of Parliament grew, especially the Puritan aspect. Once the birth occurred June 10th to a son, James Francis Edward, the leaders knew they had to move now or never, so on June 30th, they sent an invitation to William to invade their country, promising their support.
The successful invasion took place November 5th 1688 with the King’s supporters and his army mostly sitting this one out. The Navy, led by closer allies, wanted to engage the Dutch navy, but “a Protestant Wind” prohibited the Royal Navy from sallying forth in battle. Once William had landed, it was clear that no one was going to really challenge him and King James II had actually fled the country. By the new year of 1689, the leaders of Parliament had written the Declaration of Rights that both William and Mary, as joint-monarchs, would happily sign. In December 1689, that document was made, by an Act of Parliament, the English Bill of Rights.
Had Charles II or James II been a bit more attentive, they may have “seen this coming.” Or not, but we have the luxury of time perspective to be able to now see the clear steps of the “Road to Revolution.”
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You can read the rest of chapter 5 in Tracking the Storm; the book provides powerful clues about what is coming, rapidly, to the United States. There is little doubt that a storm is approaching the country, the outer edges of the winds already swirling around us. What does that portend for the nation? Through the clues of history, we can find direction and steps to undertake to prepare. Many believe there won’t be a storm, or maybe that the worst is over. With history as a guide, I demonstrate that we haven’t yet even reached the Great Crisis.
Gripping and “a scary yet necessary read,” Tracking the Storm moves through the past 400 years of Anglo-American history to illustrate the various clues provided that show the steps to the coming crisis. I will tell the story of political instability, economic distress, rapid technological changes and a growing philosophical divide that challenged previous generations. At the end of each Great Crisis, the nation had been radically changed. Pick up your copy of Tracking the Storm today!