Restoration and James Flashcards
Who promoted the fear of a Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Charles II to instate his Catholic brother on the throne?
Titus Oates
What did Titus Oates fears cause in English society?
- His accusations cause the execution of 35 people, including 5 Jesuit priests
- As well as further general hysteria and rioting
When people begin to realize that Titus Oates’ conspiracy theory was false, what happened to him?
- Oates is condemned to life in prison for perjury in 1685
What was the Exclusion Crisis (1679-81) and why was it important?
- The attempt by the Whigs to exclude James from succeeding the throne after Charles II
- 3 parliaments called
- But the Whigs failed to get an exclusion bill
Importance: This spawns the Whigs and the Tories
Who were the Whigs?
- Wanted a limit on Royal powers
- ANTI-Catholic
- Pro-Dissenters
- Pro-Dutch
- They support the exclusion of James, Duke of York
Why were they called the Whigs?
- The term Whig was the nickname for Scottish Presbyterian rebels (not a favourable name)
Who were the Tories?
- PRO-Royalist
- PRO-Anglican order and hierarchy
- They see France as a better ally for England than the Dutch
- AGAINST the exclusion of James, Duke of York
Why were they called the Tories?
- Tories was the nickname for an Irish cattle thief
(Likely a jab at their pro-hierarchical stance on Anglicanism, equating them to Irish Catholics)
In what year did Charles II die?
1685
True or False: The Stuarts liked the French court system.
TRUE
How long is James IIs reign?
(3 Years) 1685-1688
What does James IIs Catholicism spark?
- A revolution
- A foreign invasion from the Dutch
Explain James IIs religious policy:
He wasn’t trying to force people to convert like Mary I did
Instead, he simply:
- took off restrictions and penalties towards Catholics
- Lifted restrictions on public Catholic worship
- Promoted Catholic officers to the army
How had James II escaped England in his youth?
Dressed as a girl in a dress
Describe James IIs military career:
- Fought for the French and Spanish armies
- Fought as Admiral for the English navy against the Dutch
Who was James IIs first wife?
- Anne Hyde
- Daughter of the Earl of Clarendom (Anti-Puritan)
- They have James’ 2 daughters, Mary, and Anne together
True or False: James II, despite being Catholic, raised his two daughters Protestant.
TRUE
How could James IIs foreign policy be described?
Pro-French
Why did James resign from the navy admiralship in 1673?
Because he couldn’t deny transubstantiation
True or False: James comes to the throne with largely no opposition
TRUE
True or False: James is initially popular
TRUE
What 3 things does James promise to respect when ascending to the throne?
- The Constitution
- The Church of England
- People’s Property
True or False: Parliament, at first, does not give money to James II
FALSE
James called in a Tory dominated parliament, who were more than happy to fund a ton of money to put down rebellions
What decade in the 17th century saw a trade boom in England?
1680s
What was the plot to kill Charles II and James II?
The Rye House Plot 1683
Why did the Rye House Plot ultimately fail?
- It was supposed to be an assassination at the Rye House Horse Race
- But, the Horse Race was cancelled, so Charles and James never showed up
Who was blamed and punished for the Rye House Plot?
- Monmouth
- He was exiled the Holland
Who lead Monmouth’s Rebellion of 1685?
- James Scott, first Duke of Monmouth
True or False: Monmouth had been Charles IIs favourite illegitimate nephew.
TRUE
What military experience did Monmouth have?
- Fought in the French Army
- Was an English general in the 1670s
Who did Monmouth side with during the exclusion crisis?
The Whigs
- Monmouth did NOT want James to succeed
What rumours during the exclusion crisis legitimized Monmouth’s cause later in 1685?
False rumours that Charles II HAD in fact married Monmouth’s mother
At which battle is Monmouth’s inexperienced and untrained army destroyed by James II’s army?
The Battle of Sedgemoor, 1685
***Why was Monmouth’s rebellion important? (3)
- It was the last popular rebellion in England
- This gives James authorization to keep his own standing army
- James’ severity in cracking down on the rebellion shows the heavy-handed nature of his rule
What were the Bloody Assizes?
- The trials of all those who had participated in Monmouth’s Rebellion
- Assize means travelling court
- Very quick, brutal and merciless trials
How many were killed during the Bloody assizes?
300 executions
800 banished to America
What Judge headed the Bloody Assizes?
“Hanging” Judge Jeffries
What happens to Monmouth after his failed rebellion?
He is tried and beheaded a week after the rebellion
Why is Parliament against James’ promotion of Catholic officers to the army?
- Because this violated the Test Act
In what year did James II prorogue parliament, never calling it again for the remainder of his reign?
1685