27. James II of England and VII of Scotland

James II of England and VII of Scotland (1685-59) followed in the footsteps of his predecessors. He too, struggled with the scope and nature of government. He believed it his duty as a Roman Catholic prince to level the religious playing field and did not learn the lessons of the civil war. He woefully underestimated the power of parliament. His rule saw the beginnings of the modern British state and the ultimate death knell of absolute monarchy. Characters James II of England and VII of Scotland Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), father of James Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660-85), brother of James Henrietta Maria – Queen consort of England, mother of James Anne Hyde – Queen consort of England, 1st wife of James Mary of Modena – Queen consort, 2nd wife of James Princess Mary – eldest daughter of James Princess Anne – eldest daughter of James James, prince of Wales – son of James Oliver Cromwell – 1st Lord Protector of the English commonwealth Richard Cromwell – 2nd Lord Protector of the English commonwealth George Monck – English general Titus Oates – English priest and fabricator of the Popish plot Duke of Monmouth – illegitimate son of Charles II and claimant to the throne Earl of Argyll – Scottish peer and soldier, ally of the duke of Monmouth Nell Gwynne – mistress of Charles II Henry Compton – bishop of London Robert Spencer, earl of Sunderland – Lord President of the council William Penn – quaker and founder of the province of Pennsylvania John Churchill – English general and statesman William of Orange – Prince of Orange, husband of Princess Mary Louis XIV – King of France Henri de La Tour D’Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne – Marshall general of France Charles-Maurice Le Tellier – Archbishop of Reims Mary I – Queen of England and Ireland (1553-58) Henry VI – King of England (1422-61, 70-71) Richard II – King of England (1377-99) Edward II – King of England (1307-27) John Callow – Historian Gilbert Burnet - Historian CREDITS Courante – Henry Eccles Adagio – Henry Eccles 411087__jimsim__creaking-sailing-boat C 77696__benboncan__seven-bells-ship-time C bbc_700-people_07010060 202535__abolla__books01 bbc_footsteps-_07004171 168420__gurek__bushes-01 471761__lextao__48-cortandocarne bbc_babies---a_07011219 bbc_exterior-a_07044003 bbc_footsteps-_07004179 bbc_battle-cro_07019150 Soundmary – Wild horses 400632__inspectorj__ambience-seaside-waves-close-a 218488__danmitch3ll__distant-horns