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The Reign of James II - CE REVISION - Coggle Diagram
The Reign of James II - CE REVISION
Who was James II ?
James was the second son of Charles I (executed).
James becomes king after his brother Charles II died.
He was captured during the English Civil War, but escaped to France.
While in exile he became a soldier in Fremch and Spanish armies.
When his brother became king, he returned to Englamd and led the Engliash Navy. He was very successful in his role and expanded English colonies.
How did he become king ?
His brother died without any legitimate children (minimum of 13 others though !!!)
Therefore, the throne passed to James in 1685 (he was 52)
James' first wife was Protestant, they had two adult children,but she died.
His second wife was catholic, and he became Catholic too.
Opposition to his rule
People were worried about having a Catholic king, who would make changes to the country.
There was much anti-catholic feeling in the country dating back to the Reformation, and later the Gunpowder plot
As soon as James became king he started to get rid of anti-catholic laws.
People were worried he would next...
Rule without help of (the protestant) Parliment. Absolutist king (or dictator)
Allow the country to be influenced by foreign Catholic contries.
Or ultimately, force people to become catholic
Why then did James become King?
So, in February 1685, James was crowned king, despite many people not supporting him.
...because no-one in the country wanted to return to the chaos and suffering of the Civil War.
In reality, James did not want to rule without Parliment or force people to become Catholics.
He thought that if he got rid of the anti-catholic laws, people would want to be Catholics.
However,he seriously underestimated the strangth of anti-catholic feeling in england.
Religious changes introduced by James II
He abolished laws banning Catholics from certain jobs e.g. magistrates.
He allowed Catholics to become army officers - previously banned.
In 1685, he banned the preaching of anti-Catholic sermons.
In France, the king was presecuting Protestants. Many in England were worried James might do the same.
The duke of monmouth's rebellion 1685
James II sent his army to meet Monmouth. They were better trained and led by the talented Jhon Churchill.
He arrived in Devon with a very small force, some people joined (mostly farmers) but very few nobels.
He was protestant and a proven military commander, therefore some people wanted him as king.
James Scott, The Duke of Monmouth, a bastard son of Charles II attempted to claim the throne.
The two sides meet at the Battle of Sedgemoor, and Monmouth was easily defeated. He was captured and executed.
The last battle to be fought on british soil.
A Catholic Heir
Protestants were happy with the knowledge that when James died his protestant daughter Mary would become Queen.
Mary was married to the very protestant William of Orange, Prince of the Dutch Republic.
However, in 1688, James' second Mary of Modena, gave birth to a Catholic son.
James' new son was now the heir to the throne, meaning another Catholic king next.
Many people were worried that if this happend, England would become a Catholic country once again.
The Glorious Revolution
The Protestant William and Mary were invited by several MP's to come to England and claim the throne.
They accepted the invitation, and sailed to Brixham in Devon, 5th November 1688.
James dithered. Many of his army either joined William. Including Jhon Churchill, his best military commander
More and more people support William and leave James' side.
James soon realises he cannot win a battle now, so he runs away to France in the hope he can gain support and return to England at a later date.
The crown was then offered to William and Mary as joint monarchs.
They were crowned William II and Mary II in April 1689
Why a 'Glorius' Revolution ?
Civil War without bloodshed!
Parliment got rid of a king they did not like or trust and replaced with one they did.
This was a huge change to the country and therefore a 'revolution'.