Page "Glorious Revolution" Paragraph 2

After consolidating political and financial support, William crossed the North Sea and English Channel with a large invasion fleet in November 1688, landing at Torbay.

After only two minor clashes between the two opposing armies in England, and anti-Catholic riots in several towns, James's regime collapsed, largely by a lack of resolve shown by the king.

However, this was followed by the protracted Williamite War in Ireland and Dundee's rising in Scotland.

In England's geographically-distant American colonies, the revolution led to the collapse of the Dominion of New England and the overthrow of the Province of Maryland's government.

Following a defeat of his forces at the Battle of Reading on 9 December, James and his wife fled the nation ; James, however, returned to London for a two-week period that culminated in his final departure for France on 23 December.

By threatening to withdraw his troops, William in February 1689 convinced a newly chosen Convention Parliament to make him and his wife joint monarchs.