Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Oct 21, 2016 11:28:14 GMT
In a pamphleteering endeavour akin to that conducted by William and his allies before his landing in 1688, many issues are brought to the forefront of politics in the Three Kingdoms of Britain. The pamphlets describe the continued power of the House of Stuart, their fleet which somehow had been lurking in the Americas following the failed Darien expedition and emphasise the ability of the Stuarts to make a success out of William's failed policies. The conclusion that is often found in these pamphlets is that William should abdicate and the Princess Anne should succeed.
In Ireland, and in certain Scottish communities, these pamphlets are successful in reinvigorating support for House Stuart. However, these communities are also hostile to the Princess Anne's protestantism and much of the support for House Stuart is directed to the cause of the exiled James Stuart, Anne's half-brother. They are also hostile to the idea of Union, which is claimed to be a cause for Anne to champion, as they would rather preserve their executive independence from England. It seems that, despite the Scottish Court petitioning the English Parliament for Union, Stuart supporters blame William for this and would rather a King (or Queen) who would support Scotland's growth as a world power in its own right.
England is in uproar, and Parliament has held a debate on the issues documented. One issue raised is that of high taxes as a result of the war effort, this is considered fallacious as William has not raised taxes during his tenure as King. Similarly, allegations of William's homosexuality are generally brushed under the carpet and many parliamentarians cite Queen Mary's own insistence that William was a kind and loving husband. However, the growing support for House Stuart in the Kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland are concerning. Parliament believes that this is evidence of a Popish Plot and asks that William consider further restrictions on the Catholic faith. Similarly, allusions that William should end the war with Denmark due to lost revenue from the Sound Tolls are heard with some derision. Some Members suggest that the lost trade income is simply a result of the Scots trying to muscle in on English trade and the subsequent 'legal wars.' Some less self-deluding Englishmen note that the Sound Tolls obviously affect income, but there is no reason why William cannot gain a better deal through war.
Parliament is also concerned that the Princess Anne seems to be trying to ride the tide of Catholic sentient to displace the hero of the Glorious Revolution, a matter that will require some heartfelt contemplation. The Whig majority in Parliament still overwhelmingly supports William's right to rule, and many of the Tories are wary about crossing a man who calculated his rise to power in the Dutch Republic and in England so callously. Ultimately, there seems to be confusion around whether the pamphlets, whatever their origin, do more to support the Princess Anne or the pretender James. In any case, the risk of having a Catholic restoration weighs heavily on the minds of England's lawmakers creating a general atmosphere of paranoia.
In Ireland, and in certain Scottish communities, these pamphlets are successful in reinvigorating support for House Stuart. However, these communities are also hostile to the Princess Anne's protestantism and much of the support for House Stuart is directed to the cause of the exiled James Stuart, Anne's half-brother. They are also hostile to the idea of Union, which is claimed to be a cause for Anne to champion, as they would rather preserve their executive independence from England. It seems that, despite the Scottish Court petitioning the English Parliament for Union, Stuart supporters blame William for this and would rather a King (or Queen) who would support Scotland's growth as a world power in its own right.
England is in uproar, and Parliament has held a debate on the issues documented. One issue raised is that of high taxes as a result of the war effort, this is considered fallacious as William has not raised taxes during his tenure as King. Similarly, allegations of William's homosexuality are generally brushed under the carpet and many parliamentarians cite Queen Mary's own insistence that William was a kind and loving husband. However, the growing support for House Stuart in the Kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland are concerning. Parliament believes that this is evidence of a Popish Plot and asks that William consider further restrictions on the Catholic faith. Similarly, allusions that William should end the war with Denmark due to lost revenue from the Sound Tolls are heard with some derision. Some Members suggest that the lost trade income is simply a result of the Scots trying to muscle in on English trade and the subsequent 'legal wars.' Some less self-deluding Englishmen note that the Sound Tolls obviously affect income, but there is no reason why William cannot gain a better deal through war.
Parliament is also concerned that the Princess Anne seems to be trying to ride the tide of Catholic sentient to displace the hero of the Glorious Revolution, a matter that will require some heartfelt contemplation. The Whig majority in Parliament still overwhelmingly supports William's right to rule, and many of the Tories are wary about crossing a man who calculated his rise to power in the Dutch Republic and in England so callously. Ultimately, there seems to be confusion around whether the pamphlets, whatever their origin, do more to support the Princess Anne or the pretender James. In any case, the risk of having a Catholic restoration weighs heavily on the minds of England's lawmakers creating a general atmosphere of paranoia.