Stuart History Quiz

James had converted to Catholicism in the late 1660s and it was feared by some that he would attempt to return Britain to the Catholic faith.

James was married at the time of his accession. His wife was Mary Of Modena. She was his second wife. His first, who died in 1671, was Anne Hyde, daughter of the famous Royalist Edward Hyde, Earl Of Clarendon.

By the time of his accession, James had two daughters, the future monarchs Mary II and Queen Anne!

James did not flee to Rome!

James, his wife, and supporters fled to France and were given a palace, the royal château of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, to live in!

James did not flee to Spain!

Pretender was a name given to James II's son, James Edward Stuart, and grandson, Charles Edward Stuart, who in turn claimed to be the rightful monarch. James Edward was called The Great Pretender, and Charles Edward The Young Pretender.

This term is most commonly used to describe eighteenth century American colonists who wanted America to remain within the British Empire!

The name comes from Jacobus, the Latin name for James! Jacobites not only supported James, but his son and grandson too, James Edward and Charles Edward, who in turn claimed to be the rightul king. The last main Jacobite rising was in 1645, when Charles Edward, better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, led an army against King George II.

Soon after their accession to the throne, William and Mary commissioned Christopher Wren to rebuild the deteriorating Tudor palace. The plan was to demolish it all and rebuild an entire new palace, but thankfully that would have cost too much so a lot of the Tudor palace survived!

Sadly this great Tudor palace was demolished by Oliver Cromwell's government in the 1650s!

This once magnificent palace was demolished by Charles II's mistress, Barbara Villiers, Duchess Of Cleveland, so she could pay off gambling debts!