James II of England and VII of Scotland (1685-59) followed in the footsteps of his predecessors. He too, struggled with the scope and nature of government. He believed it his duty as a Roman Catholic prince to level the religious playing field and did not learn the lessons of the civil war. He woefully underestimated the power of parliament. His rule saw the beginnings of the modern British state and the ultimate death knell of absolute monarchy.

Characters

James II of England and VII of Scotland
Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), father of James
Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660-85), brother of James
Henrietta Maria – Queen consort of England, mother of James
Anne Hyde – Queen consort of England, 1st wife of James
Mary of Modena – Queen consort, 2nd wife of James
Princess Mary – eldest daughter of James
Princess Anne – eldest daughter of James
James, prince of Wales – son of James

Oliver Cromwell – 1st Lord Protector of the English commonwealth
Richard Cromwell – 2nd Lord Protector of the English commonwealth
George Monck – English general

Titus Oates – English priest and fabricator of the Popish plot
Duke of Monmouth – illegitimate son of Charles II and claimant to the throne
Earl of Argyll – Scottish peer and soldier, ally of the duke of Monmouth
Nell Gwynne – mistress of Charles II
Henry Compton – bishop of London
Robert Spencer, earl of Sunderland – Lord President of the council
William Penn – quaker and founder of the province of Pennsylvania
John Churchill – English general and statesman

William of Orange – Prince of Orange, husband of Princess Mary
Louis XIV – King of France
Henri de La Tour D’Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne – Marshall general of France
Charles-Maurice Le Tellier – Archbishop of Reims

Mary I – Queen of England and Ireland (1553-58)
Henry VI – King of England (1422-61, 70-71)
Richard II – King of England (1377-99)
Edward II – King of England (1307-27)

John Callow – Historian
Gilbert Burnet - Historian

CREDITS

Courante – Henry Eccles
Adagio – Henry Eccles

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Soundmary – Wild horses
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