Abhorrers

In English history, "Abhorrers" was a political label applied to those who expressed abhorrence, or strong disapproval, of the petitions presented to Charles II in 1679, which urged the king to summon Parliament and exclude his Catholic brother, James, Duke of York (later James II), from the line of succession. These petitions were part of a larger effort by those who feared a Catholic monarch and sought to limit the power of the Crown.

The term "Abhorrers" was essentially a derogatory label coined by their opponents. They believed that such petitions interfered with the royal prerogative and that the succession should not be altered by popular demand. They saw the petitioners as disruptive and potentially treasonous, undermining the authority of the monarchy.

The opposing faction, who supported the petitions, became known as the "Petitioners" and later, the Whigs. The Abhorrers eventually coalesced into the Tory party. This division marked a significant development in the emergence of modern political parties in England. The labels “Abhorrer” and “Petitioner” were short-lived, but the underlying political principles and factions they represented continued to shape English politics for decades to come. The Abhorrers generally supported a strong monarchy, the established Church of England, and the traditional social order.