James II of England was born on October 14th, 1633

Written by: Oliver Wren

James II of England: The Last Catholic Monarch

James II of England, also known as James VII of Scotland, is infamous for being the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as his tumultuous reign that ultimately led to his deposition in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

Early Life and Accession

Born on October 14, 1633, James was the younger brother of King Charles II and succeeded to the thrones of England, Ireland, and Scotland following his brother's death on February 6, 1685. His accession was met with widespread support in all three countries, largely due to the principles of eligibility based on divine right and birth.

Religious Tolerance and Conflict

While James's personal Catholicism was tolerated, it did not extend to tolerance of Catholicism in general. The English and Scottish parliaments refused to pass his measures, which led to his attempts to impose them by decree. This move was met with opposition, and some argue that it was a political principle, rather than a religious one, that ultimately led to his removal.

The Birth of a Heir and the Crisis of 1688

In June 1688, two events turned dissent into a crisis. The birth of James's son and heir, James Francis Edward Stuart, on June 10 raised the prospect of establishing a Catholic dynasty, excluding his Anglican daughter Mary and her Protestant husband William III, Prince of Orange, from the line of succession. The prosecution of the Seven Bishops for seditious libel was viewed as further evidence of an assault on the Church of England, and their acquittal on June 30 destroyed James's political authority in England.

The Glorious Revolution and Deposition

The ensuing anti-Catholic riots in England and Scotland led to a general feeling that only James's removal from the throne could prevent another civil war. In December 1688, James's daughter Mary and her husband William III invaded England, and James fled to France. The English Parliament declared the throne vacant, and William and Mary were crowned as joint monarchs.

Legacy and Impact

James's deposition ended a century of political and civil strife in England by confirming the primacy of the English Parliament over the Crown. His reign is now remembered primarily for conflicts over religious tolerance, but it also involved struggles over the principles of absolutism and the divine right of kings.

• Key Milestone: James's reign marked the end of Catholic monarchs in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
• Influence on Modern Society: The Glorious Revolution of 1688, which deposed James, established the supremacy of Parliament and paved the way for modern constitutional monarchy.

Personal Life and Relationships

James married Anne Hyde in 1660, with whom he had eight children. He later married Mary of Modena in 1673, with whom he had six children.

Trivia and Fun Facts

• James was known for his strong sense of duty and his strict adherence to Catholicism.
• He was a skilled military commander and served in the English Civil War.
• James was the last British monarch to use the royal prerogative to veto an act of Parliament.

Despite his tumultuous reign, James II of England remains an important figure in British history, marking the end of Catholic monarchs and the beginning of a new era of parliamentary supremacy.