Joshua Bennett
James II of England was the last openly Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland. His reign is remembered for conflicts over religion, as well as struggles over the principles of absolutism and the divine right of kings. James succeeded his elder brother, Charles II, who was also sympathetic to Catholicism, but James was the only one to rule as an open Catholic. James's pro-Catholic policies and his wish for new penal laws against Presbyterians threatened to establish a permanent Roman Catholic dynasty, leading influential Protestants to invite William, Prince of Orange, to invade England and ultimately resulting in James's deposition in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the last openly Catholic king in England | James II and VII |
| Year of birth and death | 14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701 |
| Year he became king | 1685 |
| Year he was deposed | 1688 |
| Name of his brother whom he succeeded | Charles II |
| Name of his two daughters | Mary and Anne |
| Name of his wife | Mary of Modena |
| Name of his son | James III |
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What You'll Learn
James II/VII: England's last Catholic monarch
James II of England (or James VII of Scotland) was the last openly Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He was king from 1685 until he was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
James was the second surviving son of Charles I of England and Henrietta Maria of France, and was created Duke of York at birth. He succeeded his elder brother, Charles II, to the throne. James's conversion to Catholicism was made public when he refused to perform the requirements of the new Test Act in 1673, which required all civil and military officials to take an oath, disavowing the doctrine of transubstantiation and denouncing certain practices of the Roman Church.
James's reign was marked by conflicts over religion, with his Catholic conversion causing tension among MPs and the public, who were concerned about a return to papal rule and how a Catholic could be the Supreme Governor of the Anglican Church. James's placement of Catholic allies in high positions in the court and army, along with the birth of his son, alarmed the Anglican establishment, who invited William of Orange and his wife, James's daughter Mary, to invade. This resulted in the Glorious Revolution and James's deposition, confirming the primacy of Parliament over the Crown.
James went into exile in France, where he continued to attempt to regain his throne. He invaded Ireland with French soldiers but was defeated in the Battle of the Boyne. While in exile, he continued to live as a Catholic, and his supporters attempted to assassinate William. James died in 1701, and his burial sites are spread across France.
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James II's pro-Catholic policies
James II of England, also known as James VII of Scotland, was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland. His reign, from 1685 to 1688, was marked by conflicts over religion and struggles over the principles of absolutism and the divine right of kings. James's pro-Catholic policies were not popular and ultimately led to his deposition in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
James's pro-Catholic policies included the appointment of Catholics to key positions in the government, courts, navy, and army, as well as university appointments. He also ignored or waived certain laws when they applied to Catholic individuals he favoured, a practice known as his Dispensing and Suspending powers. In 1687, James issued the Declaration of Indulgence, also known as the Declaration for Liberty of Conscience, in which he used his dispensing power to suspend the effect of laws punishing Roman Catholics and Protestant Dissenters. He attempted to increase support for his tolerationist policy with a speaking tour of the western counties of England, comparing religious differences to differences in skin colour.
James also provided partial toleration in Scotland, granting relief to Roman Catholics and partial relief to Presbyterians. However, his attempts to promote Catholicism alienated Anglicans and the Church of England. In 1688, James ordered the Declaration of Indulgence to be read from the pulpits of every Anglican church, further angering the Anglican bishops. When seven bishops, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, submitted a petition requesting the reconsideration of the King's religious policies, they were arrested and tried for seditious libel.
The birth of James's son and heir, James Francis Edward Stuart, in June 1688, raised the prospect of a permanent Catholic dynasty, threatening the succession of his Protestant daughters, Mary and Anne. This, along with the prosecution of the seven bishops, turned dissent into a full-blown crisis. Leading members of the English political class invited William of Orange, a Protestant married to Mary, to assume the English throne. Anti-Catholic riots in England and Scotland led to a general feeling that only James's removal could prevent another civil war. James went into exile in France, and William and Mary were installed as joint monarchs.
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James II's Catholic conversion
James II of England (also known as James VII of Scotland) was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He ascended the throne after the death of his elder brother, Charles II, in 1685. James's reign was marked by conflicts over religion and struggles over the principles of absolutism and the divine right of kings. His Catholic conversion was a significant factor in these tensions.
James's conversion to Catholicism was influenced by his time in France, where he was exposed to the beliefs and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church. He took Catholic Eucharist in 1668 or 1669, but his conversion was kept secret for almost a decade. During this period, he continued to attend Anglican services to conceal his religious shift. It was not until 1676 that he openly embraced Catholicism, and his conversion became publicly known.
James's Catholic faith caused concern among MPs and the public, who feared a return to papal rule and questioned how a Catholic could serve as the Supreme Governor of the Anglican Church. The prospect of a permanent Catholic dynasty further fuelled these anxieties, especially when James's wife, Mary of Modena, gave birth to a son, James Francis Edward Stuart, in 1688. This birth threatened to exclude his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband, William III, Prince of Orange, from the line of succession.
James's refusal to comply with the new Test Act introduced by Parliament in 1673 further highlighted his Catholic leanings. The Act required civil and military officials to take an oath, disavowing certain Catholic doctrines and practices. James's refusal to take this oath and his insistence on repealing penal laws against Catholics reinforced his commitment to his new faith.
The consequences of James's Catholic conversion extended beyond religious debates. His deposition in the 1688 Glorious Revolution ended a century of political and civil strife and confirmed the primacy of Parliament over the Crown. James's exile in France and the subsequent rule of William and Mary as co-monarchs marked a significant shift in English history, with the Bill of Rights of 1689 declaring that no Roman Catholic could ascend the English throne.
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Catholic influence at court
The Catholic Church has had a complex and often contentious relationship with the English monarchy and its courts throughout history. While there have been instances of Catholic influence at court, there have also been periods of persecution and conflict. Here is an overview of the Catholic influence at the English court.
During the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603), England was bitterly divided between Catholics and Protestants due to religious changes made by previous monarchs. Elizabeth's principal secretary, Sir William Cecil, was a moderate Protestant, and her Privy Council was filled with former Edwardian politicians. While Elizabeth initially maintained religious continuity to avoid alarming foreign Catholic observers, her government worked to resurrect Edwardian reforms and reinforce Protestantism. This period saw the emergence of the term "Puritan" to describe those seeking further reformation, and the Puritan community gained influence, supported by powerful individuals.
Under the reign of Charles I (1625-1649), there was a small revival of Catholicism in England, particularly among the upper classes. Charles's wife, Henrietta Maria, was Catholic, and she was permitted to have her own royal chapel and chaplain. Henrietta Maria's strict religious observance influenced the court, introducing continental influences where Catholicism was the official religion or tolerated.
During the reign of Charles II (1660-1685), there was a restoration of a Catholic-influenced court. Charles himself had Catholic leanings, but he recognised the anti-Catholic sentiment among the English public. James II, Charles II's brother and successor, was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland. James advocated for the repeal of penal laws and his pro-Catholic policies caused concern among Anglicans. James's conversion to Catholicism was made public when he refused to comply with the Test Act of 1673, which required civil and military officials to disavow certain Catholic practices. James's marriage to the Catholic Mary of Modena further reinforced his Catholic affiliation.
While James II's reign ended with the Glorious Revolution of 1688, there were still some supporters who attempted to assassinate the new co-rulers, William and Mary. James's exile in France continued to be influenced by Catholicism, with most members of his household practising the faith. The English Parliament's Declaration of Right in 1689 denounced James's abuse of power and included limitations on royal authority, specifically citing the prosecution of seven bishops. This declaration became the basis of the Bill of Rights, which stated that no Catholic could ascend the English throne or marry a Catholic.
In the 18th century, Catholics, particularly those with access to courtly centres of power, continued to play a significant role in England. Notable English Catholics of this period include Alexander Pope, literary figure, and members of the Catholic gentry, such as Baron Petre and Thomas Weld.
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Catholics and the monarchy
The relationship between Catholics and the monarchy in England has been fraught with conflict, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries. The English Reformation, initiated by King Henry VIII's split with the Catholic Church, marked a significant shift in religious dynamics. Henry's rejection of papal authority and establishment of himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England had far-reaching consequences. While some Catholics continued to secretly practice their faith, the country witnessed a transition towards Protestantism, with the Church of England becoming the state religion.
One of the most notable Catholic monarchs in English history was King James II (in Scotland, he was known as James VII). James was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and his reign was marked by religious conflicts. James advocated for the repeal of penal laws and openly expressed his support for Catholicism. He refused to comply with the Test Act of 1673, which required civil and military officials to disavow certain Catholic practices, further highlighting his religious stance. James's pro-Catholic policies and the birth of his son, which opened the possibility of a permanent Roman Catholic dynasty, caused concern among Anglicans and ultimately led to his deposition in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
James's Catholic faith and policies had a significant impact on the course of English history. The fear of Catholic influence at court and the potential for a Catholic dynasty led to a strong reaction from Protestants. The English Parliament invited William, Prince of Orange, to invade England, and William and Mary were subsequently named co-monarchs, with the Scottish Parliament following suit. The Declaration of Right issued by the Convention Parliament denounced James's abuse of power and limited royal authority, setting a precedent for the primacy of Parliament over the Crown.
While James was the last Catholic monarch to rule England, the influence of Catholicism continued to shape the monarchy in subsequent years. Even after his deposition, some Catholics still regarded James and his descendants as the lawful kings. However, the Catholic Relief Acts of 1778 and 1791, as well as the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, gradually improved the rights of Catholics in Britain, bringing them closer to the rights enjoyed by other British subjects.
In conclusion, the relationship between Catholics and the monarchy in England has been complex and often contentious. The religious conflicts during the reigns of monarchs like King Henry VIII and King James II shaped the religious landscape of the country. The monarchy's role in the establishment of the Church of England and the subsequent struggles over religious dominance had far-reaching consequences. While England transitioned towards Protestantism, Catholics continued to navigate their place in society, with their rights and acceptance fluctuating over the centuries.
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Frequently asked questions
One: James II of England (James VII of Scotland) was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
James II was king of England from 1685 until he was deposed in the 1688 Glorious Revolution.
William and Mary were named co-monarchs by the English Parliament.
James II's reign is remembered for conflicts over religion. He was pro-Catholic and had repealed the penal laws in all three of his kingdoms.
Yes, James I (who died in 1625) and his son Charles I were both tolerant towards Catholicism. Additionally, King Henry VIII split with the Catholic Church in 1534, but his eldest daughter Mary was Catholic.
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