Charles II once claimed that he was so utterly devoted to the Church of England, of which he was head, that he took as many mistresses as there were Articles of Faith - 39.  His religious affiliation may have been in doubt, but his loyalty to his wife was never in question.  He was unquestionably unfaithful.  Several of his mistresses bore him children, but his queen remained childless, so there were no legitimate heirs who could inherit the throne.  What England needed more than anything was a secure hereditary line - peace and continuity instead of doubt and upheaval.
 
 

The problem of the succession was further complicated by the fact that James Duke of York, Charles's only brother and rightful heir, was a Roman Catholic.  At a time of religious unrest, Catholicism was literally demonised in the popular imagination.  The ruling intelligentsia no more wanted a Catholic monarch, than did the poplace.

Catholicism was associated with foreign rule, as a return to Catholicism would mean the Pope would regain certain powers in the country, in place of the King.  Added to this was the potential threat of war with Catholic countries on the Continent.  Charles I, with his Catholic Queen, had been accused of Catholic tendencies and had involved the French in his wars against his own people.  The last Catholic monarch, Mary I, had married Philip II of Spain, and burned Protestant 'heretics' at the stake.  Memories of the Gunpowder Plot, a Catholic plot to overthrow the Protestant King James I and VI  and his government, were still fresh, the overthrow of which was celebrated (and still is) on 5 November each year.

Most of Britain had been Protestant for over a century at this stage.  Increasing moves towards puritanism brought in more individualism in worship and less power for the priesthood.  There was little desire to return to the old religion.

Laws were passed forbidding Catholics from holding positions of power.  Oaths had to be sworn.

Charles II was plagued by threats to his life in his later years, as the question of the succession became ever more prescient.  In England, My England we see Shaftesbury persuading the Duke of Monmouth that he should be king on his father's death.   With James II on the throne, Monmouth and his followers believed he would be welcomed as the most appropriate Protestant to ascend the throne.  He landed on the English shore and began to march on London, but gained little support, and was soon captured and executed.

If there was one thing that stopped the British from denying James the throne fromthe outset it was the memories of  regicide, the civil wars that preceeded Charles I's death, and the confusion and wars of the Commonwealth years.  Though there was a great deal of opposition and fear, most people acknowledged James as their true monarch.

Another reason to tolerate James as king was the fact that he had two daughters, both of whom were Protestant, which meant that the throne would be returned to a Protestant monarch on his death.  However, a new marriage was made, and a son was born to the Catholic monarchs.  Panic ensued, and a group of parliamentary leaders secretly approached Mary, James's elder daughter, and her husband, William of Orange to come and take the reins of the British Isles.

As William landed, James fled to Catholic Ireland.  He called on the French for help, and much of William and Mary's reign was blighted by stalemate wars in Ireland against James.  It is remembrance of some of these battles which still causes such pain in Ireland today.  The Orangemen  are named for William of Orange.
 
 
 

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Page created 5 May 2002

Copyright belongs to Deborah Norris, 2002