Expert: Mark Smith - 7/22/2005

Question
Hello, Mark.

I recall being taught many years ago that on the occasion of William of Orange's (?) having taken over the throne of England, the Lords swore (among other things) the allegiance of (sadly, I am forced here, to paraphrase)

"...ourselves, and our children to the last generation."

It is that, "to the last generation" bit which interest me.

I also recall hearing, somewhere, one philosopher or another's (was it William Godwin?) having voiced objections in the strongest terms to the right of one generation to "sell" the aliegiances of even their unborn children in this way--to the last generation.

I would like to ascertain it--and, if I can, get the exact wording of that Oath of Loyalty.

Can you throw any light on this?

Regards,
Dan O'Hanlon  

Answer
Hello Dan.
I've looked at the exact wording of the Bill of Rights of 1689 which was the basis of the accession of William and Mary and it contains the following phrase :

"and thereunto the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons do in the name of all the people aforesaid most humbly and faithfully submit themselves, their heirs and posterities for ever".

This seems to be to what you are referring. Like many other such things it was an important oath at the time demonstrating Parliament's loyalty to the new dynasty. They also spoke for the entire population whether they agreed to it or not. As the Bill was enacted into law and has not been repealed its clauses are, in theory, effective today. But if anyone today rejected the 1689 Lords taking oaths for the unborn they would not find themselves in Court over it.
The full wording is below.

Mark

www.constitution.org/eng/eng_bor.htm