Full name:  James II Born:  14th October 1633 Place of Birth:  St James's Palace, London Ascended to the throne:  6th February 1685, aged 51 years Crowned:  23rd April 1685, at Westminster Abbey Reign:  3 years Died:  16th September 1701, Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France

James was born 14th October 1633, to Charles I. He was named after his grandfather James I and VI.

James distinguished himself as a soldier whilst fighting in the English civil war.

From 1660, to 1673 he commanded the Royal Navy.

In 1660, he married the daughter of Charles II's chief minister, Anne Hyde.

In 1669, James converted the Catholicism, despite this, he acceded to the throne in 1685. But he faced a rebellion led by the Duke of Monmouth, Charles II's illegitimate son.

The rebellion was immediately stopped, and savage punishments were given to all who were involved.

After much conflict with parliament, James decided to rule alone. He attempted to promote Catholicism throughout England, and issued a declaration of Indulgence to encourage religious toleration.

James' wife gave birth to a son, and many Protestants feared there would be another Catholic leader. William of Orange, the husband of James Protestant daughter, Mary, was invited to invade England.

James fled the country in 1689, and William and Mary became England's first joint monarchs.

James tried to raise an army in 1689, but was defeated by William in 1690 in the Battle of Boyne.

James died in exile on 16th September 1701.