Sarah Mitchell
The history of the British monarchy is a complex one, with a long and sometimes fraught relationship with Catholicism. While England has had several Catholic monarchs, the last Catholic monarch was James II of England and VII of Scotland and Ireland, whose reign ended in 1688. James' strong personal devotion to Catholicism and his attempts to ease persecution of Catholics caused conflict and ultimately led to his deposition in the Glorious Revolution. This event marked a turning point, with the English Parliament passing a law that no Catholic could ascend the throne or marry a Catholic, a rule that remains in place to this day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the last Catholic monarch in England | James II/VII |
| Year of deposition | 1688 |
| Reason for deposition | Conflicts over religion, struggles over the principles of absolutism and divine right of kings |
| Year of the law that declared that no Roman Catholic could ascend the English throne | 1689 |
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What You'll Learn
James II/VII: England's last Catholic monarch
James II of England and VII of Scotland, born on 14 October 1633, was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He was the second surviving son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France and was created Duke of York at birth.
James succeeded his brother, Charles II, as king of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1685 and was deposed by the Glorious Revolution in 1688. James's conversion to Catholicism before ascending the throne caused 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. His reign was marked by conflicts over religion, with his deposition ending a century of political and civil strife by confirming the primacy of Parliament over the Crown.
James's placement of Catholic allies in high positions in the court and army, coupled with the birth of his son, James Francis Edward, alarmed the Anglican establishment. This led to the invitation of the Protestant William of Orange and his wife, James's daughter Mary, to invade, resulting in the Glorious Revolution. James's prosecution of the Seven Bishops was also seen as an assault on the Church of England, further eroding his support.
After his overthrow, James attempted to regain his throne by invading Ireland with French support but was defeated in the Battle of the Boyne. He returned to France, where he lived in exile until his death. James's reign is remembered for the struggles over religious tolerance, absolutism, and the divine right of kings, with his deposition solidifying parliamentary sovereignty in England.
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The Glorious Revolution
James II and VII, King of England, Scotland and Ireland, was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. James was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland and Ireland, and his reign was marked by conflicts over religion. The Glorious Revolution was a pivotal event in British history, with significant consequences for the country's politics, constitutional development, and the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament.
Opposition leaders, known as the 'Immortal Seven', invited William of Orange, a Protestant married to James's daughter Mary, to invade England. William's military forces were seen as a stabilising influence, and his marriage to Mary made him a viable alternative to James. On November 5, 1688, William landed in Devon, England, with a large army. As William marched on London, many of James's supporters defected, weakening James's position. James attempted to regain the throne but ultimately fled to France, where he was received by his cousin, Louis XIV.
William and Mary were crowned joint rulers in April 1689. They swore to govern according to the laws of Parliament, marking a shift from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy. The Glorious Revolution permanently established Parliament as the ruling power, confirming the primacy of the English Parliament over the Crown. The revolution also had economic implications, signalling a shift from an agrarian to a commercial society and leading to the foundation of the Bank of England.
The historiography of the Glorious Revolution is complex and disputed. While some portray it as a largely consensual and bloodless triumph of English common sense, others emphasise the divisive and violent nature of the event. The invasion aspect has also been debated, with some arguing that it was downplayed due to British pride and Dutch propaganda. The Glorious Revolution was a significant event that transformed the English state's ideology and policies, marking a new era in British politics.
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James II's unpopularity
There have been twelve Catholic monarchs in English history, including some of the most famous and infamous kings and queens of England. One of these, James II, is known not only for his Catholicism but also for his unpopularity during a turbulent time in English history.
James II's reign (1685-1688) was a short and tumultuous period in English history, marked by his unpopularity and a growing sense of distrust among the English people. There were several key factors that contributed to this, including his religious beliefs, his association with absolutism, and a general sense that he was out of touch with the people he ruled.
One of the main reasons for James II's unpopularity was his Catholicism. England had largely been a Protestant nation since the time of Henry VIII, and while there had been Catholic monarchs before James, their reigns had often been marked by religious tension and conflict. James' open Catholicism, his attempts to promote Catholic interests, and his efforts to relax the laws against Catholics aroused fear and suspicion among the predominantly Protestant population. The English people worried that James would attempt to re-establish Catholicism in England, and this concern was heightened by his close association with France, a powerful Catholic nation at the time.
The king's association with absolutism, or the belief in the divine right of kings, further alienated him from his subjects. James believed strongly in the concept of absolute monarchical power, which was at odds with the growing sentiment in England favoring limited monarchy and parliamentary sovereignty. He surrounded himself with a small group of favorites, often ignoring the advice of Parliament, and his attempts to increase the power of the crown only served to worry those who feared a return to the type of absolutism seen under the Stuart monarchy.
James also made several missteps that damaged his reputation and furthered the sense that he was out of touch with his people. He chose to maintain a standing army, which was a source of concern for those who feared that it could be used against them. His appointment of Catholics to high military positions only served to increase these worries. Additionally, James' personal life, including his marriage to the Catholic Mary of Modena, caused some scandal, and his response to the Titus Oates plot, where he appeared to favor the Catholic victims of the false conspiracy, was seen as further evidence of his bias.
The birth of James Francis Edward Stuart, the prince who would later be known as the Old Pretender, in 1688, was the final straw for many. With a male heir, it seemed possible that a Catholic dynasty could be established, and this prospect was unacceptable to a large portion of the English population. This ultimately led to the Glorious Revolution of 1688, where James was deposed, and the English Bill of Rights was established, further limiting monarchical power.
In conclusion, James II's unpopularity was a result of a combination of factors, including his religious beliefs, his political stance, and a series of missteps that caused his subjects to lose faith in his ability to rule. His reign was a pivotal moment in English history, shaping the future of the monarchy and the nation's religious landscape.
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Religious conflicts
James II and VII, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, was the last Catholic monarch of these countries. His reign is primarily remembered for conflicts over religion.
James II succeeded his elder brother, Charles II, to the throne in 1685 at the age of 51. The public supported him, as they were reluctant to undermine the principle of hereditary succession. However, his reign was marked by religious conflicts, with the king being a devout Catholic. Many British people, distrustful of Catholicism, regarded James' wife, the new Duchess of York, as an agent of the Papacy. James himself once stated:
> "If occasion were, I hope God would give me his grace to suffer death for the true Catholic religion as well as banishment."
The king's deep devotion to Catholicism and his attempts to increase support for his tolerationist policy caused tensions with the Anglican Church and further alienated the Anglican bishops. In 1687, James provided partial toleration in Scotland, granting relief to Roman Catholics and partial relief to Presbyterians. This was followed by a speaking tour in England, during which he gave a speech at Chester, comparing religious differences to differences in skin complexion and advocating for religious tolerance.
In 1688, James ordered the Declaration to be read from the pulpits of every Anglican church, which further alienated the Anglican bishops. The Declaration elicited some thanks from its beneficiaries, but it also forced the Established Church, traditionally an ally of the monarchy, to erode its privileges. James's attempts to grant religious freedom and tolerance were not well-received by those who were distrustful of Catholicism and feared a potential Catholic monarch.
James II's deposition in the 1688 Glorious Revolution ended his reign and confirmed the primacy of the English Parliament over the Crown. Following his deposition, a Bill of Rights was enacted in 1689, declaring that no Roman Catholic could ascend the English throne, nor could any English monarch marry a Roman Catholic.
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Catholicization and anti-Catholicism
The history of England has witnessed several instances of Catholicization and anti-Catholicism, with the latter being defined as hostility towards Catholics, opposition to the Catholic Church, and opposition to its clergy and adherents. The English Reformation, launched by King Henry VIII, marked a significant shift away from Catholicism, with the Act of Supremacy in 1534 declaring the English crown as the supreme head of the Church in England, supplanting the pope's authority. This act was later repealed by Henry VIII's daughter, Queen Mary I, a devout Catholic, who briefly reinstated Catholicism as the state religion from 1554 to 1558. During her reign, she executed many Protestants and earned the sobriquet "Bloody Mary".
The reign of Elizabeth I, who succeeded Mary I, saw a resurgence of anti-Catholicism. Pope Pius V, in 1570, issued a papal bull, Regnans in Excelsis, deposing and excommunicating Elizabeth. This created a difficult situation for Elizabeth's Catholic subjects, who now faced a conflict of allegiance. Elizabeth's persecution of Catholic Jesuit missionaries led to numerous executions, and plots orchestrated by persecuted Catholics, such as the Gunpowder Plot, further fuelled anti-Catholic sentiments. The Recusancy Acts, enacted during her reign, legally coerced citizens to conform to Anglicanism, with severe penalties for non-compliance.
The Glorious Revolution of 1688, which deposed King James II, was also influenced by anti-Catholic sentiments. James II, a devout Catholic, was the last Catholic monarch of England, and his reign was marked by conflicts over religion. The English public's distrust of Catholicism was evident in their perception of James' daughter Mary, Duchess of York, as an agent of the Papacy. The succession of Mary and her Protestant husband, William, as joint rulers, further contributed to the anti-Catholic sentiment of the time.
While anti-Catholicism has a long history in England, it has evolved and abated over time. During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815), anti-Catholicism served as a unifying factor for the Protestant populations of England, Scotland, and Wales, intertwining with British national identity. However, in more recent times, the decline of the Church of England, increasing immigration, and the vibrancy of Catholic communities have contributed to a potential re-Catholicization of Britain. Despite the low percentage of Catholics among the British population, their influence in politics and culture remains significant.
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Frequently asked questions
There were several Catholic English monarchs, especially before the Reformation. However, James II/VII was the last Catholic monarch of England.
Some of the other Catholic English monarchs were Henry VIII (before he broke with the Catholic Church), Edward the Confessor, and Mary I.
James II/VII was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. After this, the English Parliament passed a law that no Roman Catholic could ascend the English throne or marry an English monarch.
Yes, James II/VII's son ("James III") was considered by many Catholics to be the lawful king after Queen Anne. However, when "James III" died, the Pope refused to recognize his son as king, and the Catholic community had by then accepted George III as the rightful king.
