197 
Bath, it was reported, will not choose any but such as shall be 
approved by the king, “soe there will need noe change” there. 
Lord Fitzhardinge and Sir William Basset had been the last 
members. Sir William Basset consented to all the three questions. 
Lord Fitzhardinge consented also, provided that the Church of 
Engiand were by any way secured of being continued. 
Further orders were issued for more inquiries in boroughs, and 
the report, made in April, 1688, by the three men who had been 
allotted Devon and Somerset, stated that opinions of all sorts 
had been discovered as to his Majesty’s intentions, but the 
Churchmen were the great hindrance. Correspondents had been 
selected and appointed in all the boroughs to keep them well 
informed. 
Bath they reported as a Corporation where the election was by 
the Body Corporate, who proposed to choose Oliver Nicholls, one 
of the Corporation; and Sir William Basset, +‘ both right,” but 
if the King should be not satisfied with these, others would be 
chosen. ; 
In September there was again another report, Bath still 
adhering to the above intention. 
The discontent had by now worked up an organised opposition, 
and overtures had been made to the Prince of Orange. Some 
hesitation at first would be natural, as the King having no family, 
by waiting a while the throne must come to him. The birth of a 
child in June, which everyone considered to be supposititious, 
entirely altered the position, and decided his action, so that by 
September his preparations were advanced. The Prince having 
publicly doubted the birth, a Proclamation in November declared 
the intended invasion “ unchristian. and unnatural in one so nearly 
related, especially as he calls in question the legitimacy of our 
son.” It is clear that the birth of the P.P., as he was called 
(Pretended Prince), was actually the immediate factor in producing 
the invasion by William, as thereby his inheritance of the crown 
by right of his wife was forfeited and lost. 
