An inconvenient monarch.

James the II of England had the misfortune (for him no doubt) and arguably for much of Protestant England, to develop a taste for things Catholic just prior to beginning his career as King. The depths to which folk plunged themselves into religion during these times is terrifying. Charles the II, king of England before James, opposed his conversion with a passion, including denying the right of his own children to convert. Seems the Protestants had the heeby jeebies and weren't going to take a chance that one or more of James kids would make it to the throne one day. So what does Charles do but let James marry a Catholic. Now the mainly Protestant public took note and started to realize that their country could indeed be ruled by a Catholic one day. Holy crap! (literally). No prob, Charles was young when he ascended the throne, lots of kids in him.



Charles died childless, at least legitimate children childless, to the horror of both the parliment and Protestant clergy. Rumours sprang up around every corner of England about "popish plots", slang for a Catholic was about to become king.



James the II took the crown in 1685. Things went well for about a month, a long time for a reigning English monarch then, when a coup was launched by James Scott, Duke of Monmouth. The Monmouth Rebellion got James Scott to the throne for about a day or two before his ass was kicked at the Battle of Sedgemore. So that means hangings, drawn and quater-ings and a general get back at the bad guys free for all. They had a message to get across in what has come to be known as the Bloody Assizes. Most folk thought it was a good idea and went back to growing oats and drawing water.



So now that James the II was in the clear he figured he better get some protection. He raised an army of 20,000 + just in case. These "standing armies" may make you feel secure, but armies are made to fight. Getting them to essentially just stand there is a bad idea. But in his case he wasted no time in pissing everyone off so he would need the army anyway. He appointed Catholics left, right and centre to any post with even the slightest authority. And just for fun, he fired as many Protestants as he could.



He then issued the Declaration of Indulgence, essentially a lopsided freedom of religion manifesto, that told people to go easy on the Catholics. All would have been fine but James couldn't leave things alone for a minute. He demanded that the Protestant clergy recite it in their churches. So we know whats coming. He's gonna have a fight like he's never seen it on his hands.



In what was called the Glorious Revolution, James the II was swept out of England to be exiled in France. Did OK there actually. Nice house, money, he was good for now. The monarchy was denied his son and instead went to his daughter Mary and her husband William. They proclaimed a Bill of Rights that forbade Catholics from becoming king or queen, and forbade a monarch marrying one.



James, not one to leave a hornets nest alone, got a French army together and landed in Ireland. Ireland had not recognised his abdication a year earlier and accepted him as the King. William would have none of this nonsense and promptly tarred him good at the Battle of the Boyne in 1689. He took off for France after this. The Irish thought little of his fighting ability and dubbed him James the Shit.

Next time I'll have a look at those lovable Vikings.