2020-03-12 Thu

James II of England/VII of Scotland became King of Scots, King of England, and King of Ireland on 6 February 1685, and Duke of Normandy on 31 December 1660. His reign is now remembered primarily for struggles over religious tolerance.

James was born on 14th October 1633 to King Charles I and his wife, Henrietta Maria of France, at St. James’s Palace. He was educated by private tutors, along with his older brother, the future King Charles II, and the two sons of the Duke of Buckingham, George and Francis Villiers.

He was the last Roman Catholic king of Scotland, England, or Ireland. Some of his citizens did not like his religious ideas, leading a group of them to disobey and fight against him. This was called the Glorious Revolution because no one was killed. He was deposed in the Glorious Revolution and replaced by William III and Mary II.

Depicted he is a Half crown coin of James II, 1686. It portrays laureate and draped bust of King James II facing left. Legend ‘IACOBVS•II• DEI•GRATIA’ inscribed around which means ‘James the Second by the Grace of God’.

Image Source: wikipedia.org