York, afterwards James II., he moved in the House of Commons that a bill
might be brought in for the association of all his majesty's Protestant
subjects. He also openly denounced the king's counsellors, and voted for
an address to remove them. He appeared in defence of Lord Russell at his
trial, at a time when it was scarcely more criminal to be an accomplice
than a witness. After the condemnation he gave the utmost possible proof
of his attachment by offering to exchange clothes with Lord Russell in
the prison, remain in his place, and so allow him to effect his escape.
In November 1684 he succeeded to the earldom on the death of his father.
He opposed arbitrary government under James II. with the same
consistency and high spirit as during the previous reign. He was
withdrawn from public life for a time, however, in consequence of a
hasty and imprudent act of which his enemies knew how to avail
themselves. Fancying that he had received an insulting look in the
presence chamber from Colonel Colepepper, a swaggerer whose attendance
at court the king encouraged, he immediately avenged the affront by
challenging the colonel, and, on the challenge being refused, striking
him with his cane. This offence was punished by a fine of L30,000, which
was an enormous sum even to one of the earl's princely fortune. Not
being able to pay he was imprisoned in the king's bench, from which he
was released only on signing a bond for the whole amount. This was
afterwards cancelled by King William. After his discharge the earl went
for a time to Chatsworth, where he occupied himself with the erection of
a new mansion, designed by William Talman, with decorations by Verrio,
Thornhill and Grinling Gibbons. The Revolution again brought him into
prominence. He was one of the seven who signed the original paper
inviting the prince of Orange from Holland, and was the first nobleman
who appeared in arms to receive him at his landing. He received the
order of the Garter on the occasion of the coronation, and was made lord
high steward of the new court. In 1690 he accompanied King William on
his visit to Holland. He was created marquis of Hartington and duke of
Devonshire in 1694 by William and Mary, on the same day on which the
head of the house of Russell was created duke of Bedford. Thus, to quote
Macaulay, "the two great houses of Russell and Cavendish, which had long
been closely connected by friendship and by marriage, by common
opinions, commo