Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds

Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds (February 20,1631 - July 26,1712), English statesman, commonly known also by his earlier title of Earl of Danby, served in a variety of offices under Kings Charles II and William III of England.

Exile from Court, and the Invitation to William

After James's accession Danby was discharged from his bail by the Lords in May 1685, and the order declaring a dissolution of parliament to be no abatement of an impeachment was reversed. He again took his seat in the Lords as a leader of the moderate Tory party. Though a strong Tory and supporter of the hereditary principle, James's attacks on Protestantism soon drove him into opposition. He was visited by Dykvelt, William of Orange's agent; and in June 1687 he wrote to William assuring him of his support. On 30 June 1688 he was one of the seven leaders of the Revolution who signed the Invitation to William. In November he occupied York in the prince's interest, returning to London to meet William on December 26. He appears to have thought that William would not claim the crown, and at first supported the theory that the throne having been vacated by James's flight the succession fell as of right to Mary; but as this met with little support, and was rejected both by William and by Mary herself, he voted against the regency and joined with Halifax and the Commons in declaring the prince and princess joint sovereigns.

Related Topics:
James's - May - 1685 - Tory - Protestantism - William of Orange's - June - 1687 - 30 June - 1688 - Revolution - Invitation to William - November - York - London - December 26 - Mary

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