Parliament Session Readers Theater
Roles:
Master of Ceremonies
King William
Queen Mary
Parliament Member #1
Parliament Member #2
Parliament Member #3
Parliament Member #4
Parliament Member #5
Parliament Member #6
Parliament Member #7
Parliament Member #8
Parliament Member #9
Parliament Member #10
Translator
Parliament Secretary #1 (non-speaking role)
Parliament Secretary #2 (non-speaking role)
Master of Ceremonies:
Welcome to this special session of Parliament. We are here today to welcome King William and Queen
Mary. The King and Queen have agreed to recognize us, Parliament, as their partner in governing the
great country of England. Let us meet our new King and Queen.
King William:
Greetings, my wife and I feel very privileged to accept this honor being your new King and Queen. I
would like to take this opportunity to briefly introduce myself to you. I am the son of Princess Mary and
Prince William II of the Netherlands. I was raised a Protestant and engaged to be married to Mary in 1677.
As most of you know I was approached in 1688 to lead my army into England to overthrow King James
and establish myself and Mary as the monarchs of England. Thank you so much for that honor, I am glad I
was able to bring about the wishes of so many in Parliament. Now my wife would like to say a few words.
Queen Mary:
I too, am honored at this new position as the Queen of this wonderful nation. I was born in London to the
former King James II. I was one of eight children; however, only two of us have survived. When I turned
fifteen I married William. William is the son of my Aunt Mary. Following our wedding I moved to
Netherlands where William was set to inherit the throne. Upon hearing the request that we return to
England to depose my father, I encouraged William to do so, feeling that it was my duty as both a
Protestant and royal to ensure that our country would be able to return to peace. I know that William will
be a wonderful leader, and I will do everything in my power to uphold the trust you are placing in us.
Thank you.
Master of Ceremonies:
Thank you so much for those wonderful introductions, but now on to business. In order to make very clear
how this relationship between the monarchs and Parliament is to operate, Parliament has gathered today to
write a Bill of Rights, a list of the things which the rulers can not do, and what Parliament can do. Let us
listen to the demands of Parliament.
Parliament Member #1:
First, that the pretended power of suspending the laws or the execution of laws by regal authority without
the consent of Parliament is illegal.
Translator:
In other words, the King nor Queen can suspend or ignore laws created by Parliament.
Parliament Member #2:
Second, that levying money for or to the use of the Crown by pretence of prerogative, without grant of
Parliament, for longer time, or in other manner than the same is or shall be granted, is illegal.
Translator:
In other words, there can be no taxation with approval from Parliament.
Parliament Member #3:
Third, it is the right of the subjects to petition the king, and all commitments and prosecutions for such
petitioning are illegal.
Translator:
In other words, all have the right to question the king, and one can not be punished for this.
Parliament Member #4:
Fourth that the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in a time of peace, unless it be with
consent of Parliament, is against the law.
Translator:
In other words, the king can not use the military in order to enforce his will.
Parliament Member #5:
Fifth, that the subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defense suitable for their conditions
and as allowed by law.
Translator:
In other words, Protestants have the right to bear arms.
Parliament Member #6:
Sixth that the election of members of Parliament ought to be free.
Translator:
In other words, there will be free elections of representatives.
Parliament Member #7:
Seventh that the freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or
questioned in any court or place out of Parliament.
Translator:
In other words politicians have the right to free speech and can not be punished for their words.
Parliament Member #8:
Eighth, that excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
Translator:
In other words, the punishment should fit the crime, no excessive or cruel and unusual punishments.
Parliament Member #9:
Ninth, that for redress of all grievances, and for the amending, strengthening, and preserving of the laws,
Parliaments ought to be held frequently.
Translator:
In other words, Parliament has the right and duty to meet often to discuss the laws of England.
Master of Ceremonies:
DO you King William and you Queen Mary accept these rights as laws, laws that limit your power as
rulers, and end the absolute monarchy of England? DO you agree to a new form of government for
England, a constitutional or limited monarchy in which everyone must follow the laws of the land?
King William:
Yes, I do.
Queen Mary:
Yes, I do.
Master of Ceremonies:
In that case, please sign this Bill of Rights.
(William and Mary sign Bill of Rights)
Master of Ceremonies:
Congratulations today in the year of our lord, 1689, we the Parliament and Monarchs of Britain have
finally established a limited monarchy, a government our forefathers have been fighting for since the reign
of King William in 1066 AD, over 600 years ago. We will be the model for all nations in their quest for
the rights of man and the expansion of democracy throughout the world.