James II

(Reigned from 1685-1688)

In 1685, James II became King after the death of his older brother, Charles II. Like his brother Charles, James, who was Duke of York prior to becoming King, had many exciting adventures in Europe as a wandering prince in exile from 1649 to 1660. His first marriage was to Anne Hyde, who helped James convert to the Catholic faith in the late 1660's. Anne Hyde died in 1671. The daughters of James and Anne Hyde, Mary and Anne, would play an important part in the changes to come. In 1673 James married another Catholic, Mary of Modena, a young Italian princess.

James was stubborn, and only put his trust in a few close conniving advisors and flatterers. Dull witted and pious, he surrounded himself with "yes men." and conspiratorial characters, such as Sunderland, Father Petre , and "Lying Dick" Talbot.

James' attempts to increase the power of Catholics, through the Declarations of Indulgence in 1687 and 1688, only served to antagonize Parliament and the Anglican establishment. His short reign ended with the Glorious Revolution at the arrival of William, Prince of Orange. In late Dec. 1688, James, his wife, and their son, The Prince of Wales, who had been born in June 1688, fled to France. After 13 years of bitter exile, James died near Paris in 1701.