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“Religion over Family”: Eighteenth episode of Siggie, presenting her take on the history of the monarchs of England in the context of her favorite topic….herself. This episode discusses the second half of the Stuart Dynasty, beginning with Charles II, who restored the crown after the 11 year English Republic ended. Though Protestant, he converted to Catholicism before he died, and his brother James II succeeded him, becoming the last Catholic monarch of England (or Great Britain). James was overthrown by his Protestant daughter Mary (II) and son-in-law William (III) in “the Glorious Revolution.” Finally, Queen Anne (another daughter of James II), during whose reign England and Scotland united as “Great Britain,” became the last Stuart monarch.

King Charles II of the House of Stuart. When Charles

I was captured and beheaded, his son, Charles II, escaped to Europe.

Amazingly he returned to restore the Monarchy. He did this after Oliver

Cromwell, who was the one who turned  England into a republic, died. But now I don’t

know about you all but if my father got his head removed from his body I think

I’d opt to stay in Europe. Regardless, unlike his papa, Charles II was allowed

to keep his head. That was the good news. The bad news was that during Charles

II’s reign, the Great Plague hit in 1665, and there was also the Fire of London in 1666. And

Charles II stood under a lot of controversy by actually converting to Catholicism on

his deathbed. 

Moving right along to King James II, still in the house of Stuart.

James II was the brother of Charles II. He continued where Charles II had

basically left off. He granted high offices to Catholics. Very upset

Protestants recruited James II’s daughter Mary, and her husband William of

Orange, to do something about this. Talk about the in-law troubles. Son-in-law

William’s forces caused father-in-law James II to flee. James II died in exile

in France. 

Queen Mary II, the daughter of King James I… She reigned for

five years from 1689 to 1694. To reiterate, Mary and her husband William had

been prodded by a group of disgruntled Protestants… They were called “The

Immortal Seven”… to depose Mary’s father, James II. The overthrow of Catholic

James II was known as the “Glorious Revolution.” I think it’s safe to say that

Mary II was not a daddy’s girl. She deferred a good deal of her power to her

husband William but she was still considered a good ruler in William’s

absence. Mary died very young, only at the age of 32 from smallpox. King

William III or William of Orange, the husband of Queen Mary… He succeeded Mary

when she died. The Bill of Rights was passed during King William III’s reign,

which instituted limitations on the crown. Also, in order to finance

William’s wars in France, the Bank of England was created. William to this day

is a Protestant hero.

Queen Ann… Moving right along to her, the last one from the

house of Stuart. She reigned from 1702 to 1714. She was the daughter of King James

II, who was overthrown by his son-in-law William and his daughter Mary because of

his penchant toward Catholicism. Ann was totally in the Dutch Protestant Court of

William III of Orange, who again was her brother-in-law when he invaded the

kingdom of Ann’s daddy, James II. Another illustration of a crappy daughter-father

relationship. Poor James II. All of his spawn turned against him. Anyway, Ann was

stricken with severe gout and basically had to be carried to her coronation.

She had a terrible time of it with bearing children with a whopping 12

stillbirths or miscarriages. Her oldest child lived only to see the age of 11.

(Stay tuned for episode 19 and the beginning of the Hanover Dynasty…)