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December 20, 2005
Even kings couldn't do this
-- by Thomas Leavitt
[Got this in my email this morning from a friend. -Thomas]
Even kings couldn't do this
As you know, James II was forced out as king in 1688/9 and replaced with
William III. Once William was in power, Parliament passed the
Declaration of Right, which is usually called the English Bill of
Rights. After some introductory clauses, the very first two paragraphs
state:
That the pretended power of suspending the laws or the execution of laws by regal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal;
That the pretended power of dispensing with laws or the execution of laws by regal authority, as it hath been assumed and exercised of late, is illegal;
In other words, not even kings have that power. Just thought you might
find that useful. You can see the whole Declaration here:
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/england.htm
Posted by Thomas Leavitt at December 20, 2005 2:32 PM
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Comments
Thanks for this very enlightening post, Thomas!
And it seems that GWB really sees himself as being above the law - after all, he answers to a higher authority!
Posted by: Helga Fremlin at December 20, 2005 3:02 PM
Actually, James II was replaced by his daughter Mary II, who then insisted that her husband William reign with her.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 21, 2005 6:13 AM
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