James II and VII, born on 14 October 1633 (Old Style) and passing away on 16 September 1701, held the thrones of England and Ireland as James II, and Scotland as James VII. He ascended to power following the death of his elder brother, Charles II, on 6 February 1685. His reign, however, was notably brief and ultimately concluded with his deposition in the pivotal Glorious Revolution of 1688. James holds the significant historical distinction of being the last Catholic monarch to rule over England, Scotland, and Ireland. His time on the throne is most vividly remembered for the profound struggles over religious tolerance, but it was also a battleground for fundamental political principles such as absolutism and the divine right of kings. Ultimately, his removal from power brought an end to a century of often tumultuous political and civil strife in England, firmly establishing the supremacy of the English Parliament over the Crown.

The Promise and Peril of a New Reign

Upon his succession, James inherited the crowns of England, Ireland, and Scotland with a surprisingly broad base of support across all three nations. This widespread acceptance was largely rooted in the prevailing belief in the principles of eligibility based on divine right and birth, which were deeply ingrained in the political consciousness of the era. However, a critical fault line soon emerged: while the populace might tolerate James’s personal Catholicism, this acceptance did not extend to a general tolerance of Catholicism throughout his kingdoms. Both the English and Scottish Parliaments staunchly refused to endorse his proposed measures aimed at increasing religious freedom for Catholics. When James attempted to circumvent parliamentary opposition by imposing his policies through royal decree, he met with fierce resistance. Interestingly, some historians and academics argue that it was not solely a religious principle, but rather a more fundamental political disagreement over royal authority versus parliamentary sovereignty, that ultimately paved the way for his downfall.

The Unfolding Crisis of 1688

The simmering dissent during James’s reign escalated into a full-blown crisis in June 1688, triggered by two momentous events that dramatically altered the political landscape. The first, on 10 June, was the birth of James’s son and heir, James Francis Edward. This event sent shockwaves through the Protestant establishment, raising the terrifying prospect of a permanent Roman Catholic dynasty, thereby effectively sidelining his Anglican daughter Mary and her Protestant husband, William III of Orange, from the line of succession. This was perceived as a direct threat to the religious and political future of the nation.

The second critical event was the prosecution of the Seven Bishops for seditious libel. These bishops had publicly refused to read James's Declaration of Indulgence, which aimed to grant religious freedom to non-Anglicans, including Catholics. Their subsequent trial was widely viewed as a direct assault on the independence and authority of the Church of England itself. Their dramatic acquittal on 30 June utterly shattered James’s remaining political authority and public trust in England. The combination of these events ignited widespread anti-Catholic riots across England and Scotland, fostering a palpable sense that only James’s removal from the throne could avert an impending civil war.

The Glorious Revolution and a New Constitutional Order

In the wake of this profound crisis, leading members of the English political class took the extraordinary step of inviting William of Orange, James’s Protestant son-in-law, to assume the English throne. William responded to this invitation, landing at Brixham in Devon on 5 November 1688. His arrival precipitated a rapid collapse of James's support, with the king's own army deserting him in droves. Realizing the futility of resistance, James went into exile in France on 23 December 1688, seeking refuge at the court of Louis XIV.

In February 1689, a special Convention Parliament convened and formally declared that King James had "vacated" the English throne, rather than being formally deposed, thus providing a legalistic framework for the transfer of power. They subsequently installed William and Mary as joint monarchs, a revolutionary act that fundamentally established the principle that sovereignty derived from Parliament’s will, not solely from birthright or divine decree. This bloodless transfer of power, known as the Glorious Revolution, irrevocably altered the course of British constitutional history.

Attempts to Reclaim the Crowns and Final Exile

Despite his exile, James did not abandon his claim to the thrones. On 14 March 1689, he landed in Ireland, supported by French forces and Irish Catholics, in a determined effort to recover his kingdoms. While a simultaneous Jacobite rising occurred in Scotland, the political landscape had already shifted decisively. In April, a Scottish Convention followed the precedent set in England, declaring that James had "forfeited" the throne and offering it to William and Mary. James's hopes for restoration were ultimately crushed at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690, a decisive defeat for his forces in Ireland. Following this defeat, James returned to France, where he spent the remainder of his life in exile at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, under the protection of his cousin, Louis XIV. He died there in 1701, never again to set foot in his former kingdoms.

The Siege of Derry: A Symbol of Resistance

One of the most significant and enduring events of the Williamite War in Ireland was the Siege of Derry in 1689, a testament to staunch Protestant resistance against Jacobite forces. The city had faced an earlier attempt by Jacobite forces on 7 December 1688, which was famously thwarted when thirteen apprentices courageously shut the city gates, an act of open rebellion against James II.

The main siege commenced on 18 April 1689, when James himself, at the head of an Irish army led by Jacobite and French officers, appeared before the walls of Derry. The town was summoned to surrender but defiantly refused. The besiegers initially attempted to storm the formidable walls, but all their attacks were repelled. Consequently, they resorted to a brutal strategy of starving Derry into submission. For 105 harrowing days, from 18 April to 1 August 1689, the citizens endured immense hardship. The siege finally broke when relief ships, carrying vital food supplies, courageously forced their way through the boom the Jacobites had placed across the River Foyle, reaching the besieged town. This epic act of endurance and relief is commemorated yearly by the Protestant community in Northern Ireland, serving as a powerful symbol of their historical identity and resilience.

James II's Enduring Legacy: A Shifting Historical Lens

Throughout history, James II and VII has been a figure of intense debate and varied interpretation. His opponents, particularly during and immediately after the Glorious Revolution, frequently portrayed him as an absolutist tyrant, bent on imposing Catholicism and absolute rule without regard for Parliament or the established laws of the realm. However, beginning in the 20th century, a more nuanced perspective emerged, with some historians offering praise for his advocacy of religious tolerance, viewing him as a monarch ahead of his time in seeking to extend rights to non-Anglicans in an often-intolerant age. More recent scholarship has tended to adopt a middle ground between these contrasting views, acknowledging the complexities of his reign, his genuine belief in his divine right, and his attempts to achieve religious liberty, while also recognizing the profound constitutional implications and the ultimate failure of his policies to reconcile with the deeply rooted Protestant identity of his kingdoms. His reign remains a crucial chapter in the narrative of British constitutional development and the ongoing dialogue between Crown and Parliament.

Frequently Asked Questions About James II and VII

Who was James II and VII?

James II and VII was the King of England and Ireland (as James II) and King of Scotland (as James VII) from 1685 to 1688. He was the last Catholic monarch of these kingdoms and was deposed during the Glorious Revolution.

Why was James II deposed?

He was deposed primarily due to his attempts to impose religious tolerance for Catholics and his moves towards absolutist rule, which clashed with the Protestant establishment and Parliament's desire for constitutional monarchy. The birth of his Catholic son and the trial of the Seven Bishops were key triggers for the crisis that led to his removal.

What was the Glorious Revolution?

The Glorious Revolution of 1688 was a relatively bloodless coup in which James II was overthrown and replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William III of Orange. It fundamentally shifted power from the monarch to Parliament, establishing the principle of parliamentary supremacy.

What was the significance of the birth of James II's son in 1688?

The birth of James Francis Edward on 10 June 1688 was significant because it raised the prospect of a continuing Catholic dynasty, which was unacceptable to the predominantly Protestant political elite and people of England, Scotland, and Ireland. It directly threatened the Protestant succession.

What was the Battle of the Boyne?

The Battle of the Boyne, fought in July 1690 in Ireland, was a decisive engagement in the Williamite War. It resulted in a significant defeat for James II's Jacobite forces by William III's army, effectively ending James's hopes of reclaiming his thrones and cementing William's rule in Ireland.

Why is the Siege of Derry remembered?

The Siege of Derry (April-August 1689) is remembered as a pivotal event in the Williamite War in Ireland. It symbolizes the fierce Protestant resistance against James II's Jacobite forces and is commemorated annually by the Protestant community for its endurance and eventual relief, which prevented the city's fall.

What was James II's legacy?

James II's legacy is complex. He is remembered as the last Catholic monarch and for his role in the Glorious Revolution, which permanently altered the balance of power in favor of Parliament. While often portrayed as an absolutist, some historians credit him with advocating for religious tolerance, though his methods ultimately led to his downfall. His reign marks a crucial turning point in British constitutional history.