King James II of England, a Catholic monarch faced increasing opposition from Parliament and Protestant factions due to his attempts to extend royal power and promote Catholicism in a predominantly Protestant nation. The Glorious Revolution, which unfolded in late 1688, saw William of Orange, James's son-in-law and nephew, invited by a group of Protestant leaders to invade England and restore parliamentary authority. In December of that year, facing the prospect of a military confrontation and loss of support, James II took the fateful step of fleeing to France. He left England aboard a small boat, sailing to the safety of Paris, thereby stepping away from the throne he had sought to consolidate and defend. This act of fleeing not only indicated his recognition of defeat but also epitomized the shifting tides of power in England from absolute monarchy to a governance model that favored parliamentary sovereignty.

The departure of James II prompted political and societal changes that culminated in the Bill of Rights in 1689, which laid down limits on the powers of the crown and guaranteed certain civil rights. It marked a clear vote of no confidence from a significant portion of the public against James's rule, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy under William and Mary. The revolution fundamentally changed the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament, setting a precedent for future governance in England.