More Political and Religious Upheaval! English 11AP England: 1660's to 1714 More Political and Religious Upheaval! English 11AP

Charles II (The Restoration King) Charles II’s wife was Catherine of Braganza of Portugal, but Charles acknowledged at least 12 illegitimate children (and dozens of mistresses – no wonder they called him the “merry Monarch”) Charles II ruled from 1661-1685. He was rumored to have converted fully to Catholicism on his deathbed. It really isn’t clear whether he was lucid at the time, or whose decision it was. Princess Diana was descended from two of Charles’ illegitimate sons (as is Camilla – LOL!) If William becomes King he will be the first to be descended from Charles II.

James II Charles was succeeded by his brother, who became James II. James was the last actual Catholic King of England. This was widely contested, as you can imagine. Since James was actually giving Catholics positions of power in the court and (gasp!) the military, the British looked for another option for a monarch.

William (of Orange) and Mary The Glorious Revolution, the Bloodless Revolution, or the Revolution of 1688 – James II was dethroned by William of Orange, who was from what is known today as Holland. (Dutch territories at the time) William and his wife Mary were both grandchildren of Charles I and both had claim to the British throne. The collusion with the Dutch is referred by pro-William and Mary folks as a Revolution, and pro-James II folks as a Dutch invasion. Either way, James II eventually fled to France, and William of Orange and his wife Mary became the King and Queen of England, and continued the pattern of war with France.

Jacobite Uprisings Catholics in the Scottish Highlands as well as in Ireland still saw James II as the rightful Stuart ruler, and they staged little rebellions throughout the Kingdom. These uprisings were not terribly successful.

The Bill of Rights Under William, and Bill of Rights was signed, and among other things, it established that no Catholic could ever again be King of England. It also clarified the laws of succession. William himself was not Anglican, but Dutch Reformist, but he still was head of the Church of England. This is probably part of the reason why there was great religious tolerance (of different sects of Protestantism, for example) during his reign.

Queen Anne William and his (first) cousin Mary had no children – perhaps the universe was being kind? When he died in 1702, his wife’s sister, Anne, who reigned until her death in 1714. She brought the reign of the House of Stuart to a close, because none of her children had survived infancy. Anne had 18 pregnancies - 13 miscarriages, four children who died in infancy and one son who died at the age of 11.