Failed king

• How was James II's Catholicism different from Charles II's?

  James was openly Catholic, unlike Charles II.
• What did James II believe about the divine right of kings?

  He believed strongly in absolutism and divine right.
• How did James II's personality affect his political decisions?

  His rigidity and stubbornness led to poor tactics.
• What was James II's approach to royal prerogative?

  He tried to override laws, especially on religion.
• What significant action did James II take regarding Catholic appointments?

  He appointed Catholics to high-ranking positions.
• What was the Declaration of Indulgence?

  It suspended laws against Catholics and dissenters.
• How did James II enforce the Declaration of Indulgence?

  He forced Anglican clergy to read it in churches.
• What happened to the seven bishops who refused to read the Declaration?

  They were arrested and tried but acquitted.
• How did James II's open Catholicism affect his political relationships?

  It alienated both Tories and Anglicans.
• What was the public perception of James II's intentions?

  People feared he wanted to re-Catholicise England.
• What were the two key rebellions in 1685?

  Monmouth’s Rebellion and Argyll’s Rebellion.
• Who led Monmouth’s Rebellion?

  The Duke of Monmouth, Charles II’s illegitimate son.
• What was the outcome of Monmouth’s Rebellion?

  It was poorly organized and easily defeated.
• What was the "Bloody Assizes"?

  It was a series of executions after Monmouth’s Rebellion.
• How did public opinion change after the "Bloody Assizes"?

  Public opinion began to turn due to severity.
• What was the outcome of Argyll’s Rebellion?

  It was also quickly defeated.
• How did the rebellions affect James II's governance?

  They reinforced his paranoia and desire for power.
• What was James II's relationship with Parliament?

  He dissolved Parliament early and never recalled it.
• What was the initial loyalty of the 1685 Parliament?

  It was packed with Tories and very loyal.
• Why did Parliament initially support James II financially?

  They were concerned after the rebellions.
• What caused James II to dissolve Parliament in November 1685?

  Parliament questioned his religious policies.
• What was the significance of James II ruling without Parliament?

  It destroyed the balance between Crown and Parliament.
• How did James II's actions confirm Whig fears?

  They suggested absolutism and a Catholic conspiracy.
• How did James II's policies in Ireland alarm Protestants?

  He replaced Protestant officials with Catholics.
• Who was appointed as Lord Deputy of Ireland?

  Richard Talbot, Earl of Tyrconnell.
• What was James II's approach to the Scottish Presbyterian control?

  He tried to override their control with royal prerogative.
• What did James II's actions in Ireland and Scotland signify?

  His willingness to reshape power in his favor.
• What were the key factors that led to the breakdown of James II's reign?

  1. Personality & Catholicism

  • Inflexible, devout Catholic, favoured Catholics openly
  • Declaration of Indulgence (1687/88), forced clergy to read it

  1. Rebellions & Reaction

  • Harsh repression increased public fear and resentment
  • Bloody Assizes after Monmouth, Argyll’s defeat

  1. Parliament

  • Dissolved Parliament, ruled by prerogative
  • Dissolution in 1685, never recalled it

  1. Ireland & Scotland

  • Used to advance Catholic and royal control
  • Tyrconnell in Ireland, Catholic army, religious policy in Scotland
• James II come to the throne in February 1685 in an

  apparently very strong position after Charles II’s

  strengthening of monarchical power between 1681-85.

  Interestingly despite James’ Catholicism and the attempts

  made to exclude him from the line of succession between

  1678-81, he succeeded to the throne with virtually no

  opposition.

  However, it was to be his inflexible authoritarianism and

  his Catholicism that was ultimately to lead to his downfall. At

  the start of his reign, James declared that he ‘would never

  depart from the just rights and prerogatives of the Crown’ to

  ease fears of Catholicism and the threat of absolutism, but

  he failed to recognise that Tory loyalty was to the

  Church of England and it would not support a King who

  wanted to alter the Church settlement so radically.