A 1706 manifesto for an armed rising against incorporating union

Bowie, K. (2015) A 1706 manifesto for an armed rising against incorporating union. Scottish Historical Review, 94(2), pp. 237-267. (doi: 10.3366/shr.2015.0258)

Abstract

This paper presents a draft manifesto by Robert Wylie, minister of Hamilton parish, for a popular Presbyterian rising designed to halt the ratification of incorporating union by the Scottish parliament in its 1706-07 session. The document has been preserved in Robert Wodrow’s extensive collection of papers held by the National Library of Scotland. Speaking in the name of the ‘free people’ of Scotland, the manifesto demands new elections to produce a parliament more representative of national opinion on incorporation. The new parliament would proceed to confirm the Hanoverian succession with limitations on monarchical powers. The document illustrates common arguments against incorporating union held by some Presbyterians in 1706-07 and indicates the importance of the settlement of the Hanoverian succession with limitations as an alternative to incorporating union. The document demonstrates the political activism of clergy like Wylie, acting in cooperation with opposition leaders in parliament.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Union of 1707 Scottish History Church of Scotland Popular rebellion
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bowie, Professor Karin
• Authors: Bowie, K.
• Subjects: D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
• Journal Name: Scottish Historical Review
• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• ISSN: 0036-9241
• ISSN (Online): 1750-0222
• Published Online: 01 October 2015
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Edinburgh University Press
• First Published: First published in Scottish Historical Review 2015
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher