If a large fraction of the English Church held aloof from the new order on technical grounds, the commercial classes gave it their warm support; and many who doubted in theory submitted in practice.

All at least were conscious that a new era had dawned.
For William had come over with a definite purpose in view.

James had wrought havoc with what the Civil Wars had made the essence of the English constitution; and it had become important to define in set terms the conditions upon which the life of kings must in the future be regulated.

The reign of William is nothing so much as the period of that definition; and the fortunate discovery was made of the mechanisms whereby its translation into practice might be secured.

The Bill of Rights (1689) and the Act of Settlement (1701) are the foundation-stones of the modern constitutional system.
What, broadly, was established was the dependence of the crown upon Parliament.