The significance of the Triennial Act 1694 and the growth of parliamentary power

Question 1

Why did the Bill of Rights of 1689 impose many limits on the royal prerogative?

Answer 1

In future, parliament’s consent was required for the raising of taxes, the maintenance of a standing army and the suspension of some laws - William opposed these infringements, but tolerated them in the interests of peace and harmony.

Question 2

What did William take Britain into?

Answer 2

The League of Augsburg, a coalition of European powers ranged against Louis XIV’s France, involved the country in the Nine Years’ War.

Question 3

How did the Nine Years’ War have a significant impact on domestic politics?

Answer 3

• William was out of the country campaigning in Europe between spring and autumn each year, and left the government of the country in the hands of his wife, Queen Mary
• The war influenced the composition of parliament - royal powers of patronage increased considerably as the king increased the number of MPs who also served as military officers
• Many saw this process as increasingly royal power over the Commons, allowing for the possible corruption of individual members, and even the creation of a ‘Court Party’ which would carry out the king’s bidding
• William had to summon parliament every year to gain taxes to fund the war, but he was not required to dissolve parliament at any time - this meant that there was a threat that over time parliament would become increasingly subservient to the royal will

Question 4

When was a Triennial Bill agreed by the Lords, and when was the Triennial Act passed?
What would it do?

Answer 4

• A Triennial Bill was agreed in 1692 which would establish regular elections every three years
• It was passed by the Commons but vetoed by the king
• Other measures were vetoed in 1693 which, to many MPs, called to mind the anti-parliamentary stance taken by Charles II and James II

Question 5

A powerful campaign was mounted by MPs on all sides of the House of Commons for a…

Answer 5

Triennial Bill, which finally became law in 1694 - it stated that no future parliament could last longer than three years.

Question 6

What were the effects of Triennial Act?

Answer 6

• Removed some of the important of the crown’s prerogative powers
• Before this point, the monarch had been able to dissolve a parliament which challenged the royal will, or to extend the life of one which followed the king’s wishes
• The Act therefore marked a substantial increase in the powers of parliament
• Although the Act was intended to limit royal interference in the Commons, patronage and pensions were still granted to MPs ready to obey the royal will

Question 7

What did frequent elections do in the long term?

Answer 7

Increase party rivalry and the growing divisions between the Whig and Tory parties

• These reached their height in the later years of Queen Anne’s reign
• Anne had not produced a living heir, and on her death the Act of Settlement would be triggered, which would establish the Protestant House of Hanover on the throne
• Many Tories who were still loyal to the Stuarts were determined to try and block the Hanoverian succession