The History of Constitutional Monarchy in England

The book 'A History of England: Constitutional Monarchy (1689 to 1837)' covers the period from William and Mary to William IVin British History. The book was written by James Franck Bright who was a British historian and Master of University College, Oxford. Bright also wrote on 'The Growth of Democracy' and biographies of the Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa and Joseph II.He was a progressive leader at Oxford, helping to improve teaching standards and arguing that theological degrees could be awarded to non-members of the Church of England. In 1882, Bright was one of the first dons at Oxford University to allow women students to attend his lectures, in University College Hall. Excerpt: 'Before the Crown was absolutely offered to William, the Convention was eager to reform a number of the most prominent abuses of the last reign. It was shown by the wiser leaders among them that such reforms would entail a mass of legislation which, to be done well, must occupy several years. It was therefore determined that, for the present, a solemn declaration of principles only should be drawn up. This is known as the Declaration of Right. In it, after enumerating the evils from which the country had suffered, the Lords and Commons declared that the dispensing power does not exist, that without grant or consent of Parliament no money can be exacted by the sovereign, and no army kept up in time of peace...'