James II of England (1633-1701) was the last Catholic monarch to rule over the Kingdom of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He ascended to the throne in 1685 after the death of his brother, Charles II. James II's reign was characterized by his attempts to restore Catholicism as the dominant religion in England, which caused significant controversy and eventually led to his downfall.
James II's policies sparked concerns among the Protestant English elite, as they feared a return to Catholic rule and the potential loss of their religious and political freedoms. These fears were exacerbated by his open Catholicism and the appointment of Catholics to important governmental and military positions. Additionally, his public displays of favoritism towards Catholics and his disregard for English law further alienated him from his subjects.
His reign saw significant political and religious tensions, culminating in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The birth of his Catholic son, James Francis Edward Stuart, prompted many Protestant leaders to invite his Protestant daughter, Mary, and her husband, William of Orange, to invade England. Facing the threat of an armed intervention, James II fled into exile in France, and William and Mary were proclaimed as joint monarchs of England.
The reign of James II has since been seen as a pivotal moment in British history. It marked the transition to a constitutional monarchy and the increased power of Parliament over the monarchy. His policies and subsequent overthrow contributed to the establishment of religious tolerance and set the stage for the Act of Settlement in 1701, which ensured a Protestant succession to the English throne.
