James II of England

Reign: 1685 – 1688
Life: 1633–1701

James was the second surviving son of Charles I of England and Henrietta Maria of France, and was created Duke of York at birth. The general public was reluctant to undermine the principle of hereditary succession after the trauma of the brief republican Commonwealth of England 25 years before, and believed that a Catholic monarchy was purely temporary. His attempts to impose them by absolutist decrees as a matter of his perceived divine right were met with opposition. Firstly, the birth of James's son and heir James Francis Edward Stuart on 10 June raised the prospect of a Catholic dynasty, displacing his Protestant daughter Mary, who had been heir presumptive.

During James II of England's reign, Louis XIV of France ruled France, Charles II of Spain ruled Spain, and Aurangzeb ruled Mughal Empire.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Scotland: A History by Jenny Wormald

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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Go deeper on James II of England

Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Scotland: A History

Jenny Wormald

The standard one-volume history of Scotland, essential context for the early kingdom and its kings.

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Medieval Scotland: The Making of an Identity
Bruce Webster
A concise survey of medieval Scotland that situates James II of England within church, lordship, and crown.
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