CHAPTER SEVEN
England and Scotland became one united kingdom in 1603 when James VI of Scotland became James I of England, and thus finally fulfilled Edward I’s dream of the two countries being joined together.
The Stuart century was to see dramatic changes in the nature of the monarchy. James I believed in the Divine Right of Kings, a doctrine which held that the King was God’s mouthpiece on earth, and could do and say no wrong. This was a view also held by James’s son, Charles I, who, when thwarted by Parliament – a Parliament grown used to being consulted to an increasingly greater degree by successive Tudor monarchs – tried to rule without it. He failed, and the country was plunged into a great civil war, which ended with the King’s execution and the declaration of a Republic or ‘Commonwealth’ under Oliver Cromwell, who became Lord Protector.
Against the odds, the monarchy did survive. Charles II lived in exile at the courts of Holland and France while Cromwell governed, but the Lord Protector’s hold on the country died with him in 1658. His son Richard was weak and ineffectual, and it was not long before Parliament sent for Charles II, whose Restoration took place in May, 1660. Yet by then, the balance of power had been tipped firmly on the side of Parliament, and no British monarch after that date would ever enjoy the autonomy exercised by his predecessors. In fact, it was in the late 17th century that ‘constitutional’ monarchy came into being in Britain; this meant that, instead of actually ruling the country, the sovereign reigned over it. The real power lay with an elected Parliament. In 1688, James II, a professed Catholic, realised that he could not hold the throne in the face of Protestant opposition, and fled the country. Parliament deemed that this act was tantamount to abdication, and invited William of Orange, husband of James’s daughter Mary, to take the throne of Britain with his wife. In what was known as the ‘Bloodless’ or ‘Glorious’ Revolution, he accepted, and thus became the first ‘constitutional’ monarch.
The unpopularity of James II, mainly due to his Catholicism, made King and Parliament realise that never again could Britain be successfully ruled by a monarch not of the Protestant faith of the Church of England. Thus, in 1701 was passed the Act of Settlement, barring any Roman Catholic from ascending the throne, and any British sovereign from marrying a Roman Catholic. This same Act also settled the succession, in default of Stuart heirs, upon the successors of Sophia of Bohemia, a granddaughter of James I, who had married the Protestant Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover, in Germany.
The Stuarts, like the Tudors, were not dynastically robust. Many of their children died young or were miscarried – poor Queen Anne suffering the most losses in this respect – and those who did grow to maturity died in the flower of youth of smallpox. Charles II’s wife was barren, so was Mary II. Anne’s children had all died by the time she ascended the throne. James II’s only surviving son was rumoured, falsely, to have been a changeling, and spent his life in exile, plotting to regain the throne from which he, a Catholic, was debarred by the Act of Settlement. Therefore, when Queen Anne died in 1714, there was no suitable heir of the House of Stuart to succeed her. Thus it came about that Prince George, Elector of Hanover, a bucolic German who could speak no English, succeeded to the throne of Britain and founded the Hanoverian dynasty.
James I
JAMES I
He succeeded Elizabeth I as King of England on 24 March, 1603, thus founding the Royal House of Stuart and uniting the crowns of England and Scotland under one monarch. (For details of his earlier life, 
see here, under James VI of Scotland in the previous chapter.) James was crowned on 25 July, 1603, in Westminster Abbey.
James VI & I married, by proxy on 20 or 24 August, 1589, at Kronborg Castle, Copenhagen, Denmark, and in person on 23 November, 1589, at Oslo, Norway, and again in person on 21 January, 1590, at Kronborg Castle:
Anne
She was the daughter of Frederick II, King of Denmark and Norway, by Sophia, daughter of Ulrich III, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. She was born on 14 October (date on coffin plate) (although the date is sometimes incorrectly given as 12 December), 1574, at Skanderborg Castle, Jutland, Denmark. She was crowned Queen Consort of Scotland on 17 May, 1590, at Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh, and Queen Consort of England on 25 July, 1603, in Westminster Abbey. She died on 4 March (date on coffin plate) (although other sources state 1 or 12 March), 1619, at Hampton Court Palace, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Issue of marriage:
1 Henry Frederick
He was born on 19 February, 1594, at Stirling Castle, and was Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, and Lord of the Isles from birth. He became Duke of Cornwall upon the accession of his father to the throne of England on 24 March, 1603. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 14 June, 1603. He was created, and invested as, Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on 4 June, 1610, at Westminster Abbey. He died on 6 (or, less probably, 12 or 16) November, 1612, at St James’s Palace, London, of typhoid, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
2 Stillborn child
It was born at the end of July, 1595.
3 Elizabeth
She was born on 19 August, 1596, at Dunfermline Palace, Fife. She married Frederick Henry of Wittelsbach, Elector Palatine of the Rhine and later Frederick V, King of Bohemia (1596–1632), on 14 February, 1613, at the Chapel Royal, Whitehall Palace, London, and had issue:
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Frederick Henry (1614–drowned 1629). |
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Charles Louis, Duke of Bavaria, Elector Palatine of the Rhine (1618–1680); he married firstly Charlotte (1627–1687), daughter of William V, Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, and had issue, although they were later divorced. He married secondly, morganatically, Marie Susanne Louise (1634–1677), Raugräfin of Degenfeld, daughter of Baron Martin Christopher von Degenfeld, and had issue. |
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Elizabeth, Abbess of Hervorden (or Herford) (1618–1680). |
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Rupert, Duke of Cumberland (1619–1682); he married, morganatically, Frances Baird (d.1708). He also had illegitimate issue. |
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Maurice (1621–drowned 1654). |
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Louise Hollandine, Abbess of Maubisson, Pontoise (1622–1709). |
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Louis (1623–1624). |
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Edward (1625–1663); he married Anne (1616–1684), daughter of Charles I de Gonzaga, Duke of Nevers and Mantua, and had issue. |
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Henrietta Maria (1626–1651); she married Sigismund Ragotski, Prince of Siebenbürgen, Transylvania (1623?–1652). |
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John Philip Frederick (1627–killed 1650). |
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Charlotte (1628–1631). |
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Sophia; she married Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover, and became the mother of George I ( |
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Gustavus Adolphus (1632–1641). |
Elizabeth became Queen Consort of Bohemia upon the accession of her husband to the throne of Bohemia on 27 August, 1619, and was crowned as such on 7 November, 1619, at Prague Cathedral, Bohemia. She was driven into exile with her husband in 1620 after he was deposed, and was afterwards known as ‘the Winter Queen’. There is no foundation in the rumour that, after Frederick’s death, she married secondly William Craven, Earl of Craven. She died on 3, 12, 14 or 23 February, 1662, at Leicester House, Leicester Fields, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
4 Margaret
She was born on 24 December, 1598, at Dalkeith Palace, Scotland, and died in March, 1600, at Linlithgow Palace, Fife. She was buried in Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh.
5 Charles I ( see here).
6 Robert Bruce
He was born on 18 January or 18 February, 1602, at Dunfermline Palace, Fife. He was designated Duke of Kintyre and Lorne, Marquess of Wigtown, Earl of Carrick and Lord of Annerdail (Annandale?) on 2 May, 1602. He died on 27 May, 1602, at Dunfermline Palace, Fife, and was buried in Dunfermline Abbey.
7 Stillborn son
He was born in May, 1603, at Stirling Castle.
8 Mary
She was born on 8 April, 1605, at Greenwich Palace, Kent, She died on 16 September or 16 December, 1607, at Stanwell Park, Staines, Middlesex, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
9 Sophia
She was born on 22 June, 1606, at Greenwich Palace, Kent, and died there on 23 June, 1606. She was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Queen Anne also suffered at least three other miscarriages.
JAMES I & VI
He died on 27 March, 1625, at Theobalds Park, Herts., and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
He was succeeded by his son Charles.
Charles I
FATHER: James I ( see here).
MOTHER: Anne of Denmark ( see here, under James I).
SIBLINGS: ( see here, under James I).
CHARLES I
He was born on 19 November, 1600, at Dunfermline Palace, Fife. He was created Duke of Albany, Marquess of Ormonde, Earl of Ross and Baron of Ardmannoch on 23 December, 1600. He was created Duke of York and made a Knight of the Bath on 6 January, 1605. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 24 April, 1611. He succeeded his brother Henry as Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay on 6 November, 1612, and was created and invested as Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on 4 November, 1616, at Whitehall Palace, London. He succeeded his father as King of Great Britain on 27 March, 1625, and was crowned on 2 February, 1626, at Westminster Abbey. He was crowned in Scotland on 15 or 18 June, 1633, at Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh.
Charles I married, by proxy on 1 or 11 May, 1625, at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris, and in person on 13 June, 1625, at St Augustine’s Church, Canterbury, Kent:
Henrietta Maria
She was the daughter of Henry lV (of Bourbon), King of France, by Mary, daughter of Francis I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and she was born on 26 November, 1609, at the Palace of the Louvre, Paris. She was not crowned Queen Consort; as a Roman Catholic, she would not allow herself to participate in the Anglican coronation ritual. She died on 21 August (O.S.) or 31 August (N.S.), 1669, at the Château of St Colombes, near Paris, and was buried in the Cathedral of St Denis, Paris.
Issue of marriage:
1 Charles James
He was born on 13 May, 1629, at Greenwich Palace, Kent, and was Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay from birth. He died the same day, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
2 Charles II ( see here).
3 Mary Henrietta
She married William II of Orange, and became the mother of William III. ( see here, under William III).
4 James II ( see here).
5 Elizabeth
She was born on 29 December, 1635, at St James’s Palace, London. She died on 8 September, 1650, in prison at Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight, and was buried in St Thomas’s Church, Newport, Isle of Wight.
6 Anne
She was born on 17 March, 1637, at St James’s Palace, London. She died on 5 November, 1640, at Richmond Palace, Surrey, of consumption, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
7 Katherine
She was born on 29 June, 1639, at Whitehall Palace, London, and died the same day. She was probably buried in Westminster Abbey.
8 Henry
He was born on 8 July, 1640, probably at Oatlands Palace, Surrey, and was probably styled Duke of Gloucester from birth. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 4 April, 1653, and is said to have been created Duke of Gloucester and Earl of Cambridge on 13 May, 1659. He died on 13 (O.S.) or 23 (N.S.) September, 1660, at Whitehall Palace, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
9 Henrietta Anne
Known as ‘Minette’, she was born on 16 June, 1644, at Bedford House, Exeter, Devon. She married Philip of Bourbon, Duke of Orléans (1640–1701), on 21 (O.S.) or 31 (N.S.) March, 1661, at the Chapel of the Palais Royale, Paris, and had issue:
1 Marie Louise (1662–1689); she married Charles II, King of Spain (1661–1700).
2 Miscarriage (1663).
3 Philip Charles, Duke of Valois (1664–1666).
4 Unnamed daughter (b.&d.1665).
5 Miscarriage (1666).
6 Miscarriage (1667).
7 Miscarriage (1668).
8 Anne Marie (1669–1728); she married Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia (1666–1732), and had issue, from whom descends the present day Stuart claimant to the throne of Great Britain (who is a Roman Catholic and therefore barred from the succession).
Henrietta Anne died on 15 or 30 June, 1670, at the Palace of St Cloud, near Paris, and was buried in the Cathedral of St Denis, Paris.
CHARLES I
He was tried and condemned to death by an illegally convened Parliament following the conclusion of the Civil War between the Cavaliers (supporters of the King) and the Roundheads (Parliamentarians), the latter being led by Oliver Cromwell. Charles I was convicted of treason against the state, and was executed on 30 January, 1649, outside Whitehall Palace, London. He was buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor. After his death, Britain was declared a Republic (for the only time in its history) with Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector. Charles I was succeeded in name only by his son Charles, then in exile in France.
Charles II
FATHER: Charles I ( see here).
MOTHER: Henrietta Maria of France ( see here, under Charles I).
SIBLINGS: ( see here, under Charles I).
CHARLES II
He was born on 29 May, 1630, at St James’s Palace, London, and was Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay from birth. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 21 May, 1638, and around the same time was designated Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, although he was never formally so created. He succeeded his father as King of Great Britain in name only on 30 January, 1649; Charles I was executed on that day, and Charles II was then an exile in France, whilst Cromwell took up the reins of government in Britain under the title Lord Protector. The Scots rallied to Charles’ cause, and he was crowned on 1 January, 1651, at Scone Abbey, Perthshire. He was formally restored to the throne of Great Britain, Cromwell having died, on 29 May, 1660, and was crowned on 23 April, 1661, at Westminster Abbey.
Charles II married, on 21/22 May, 1662, at the Church of St Thomas à Becket, Portsmouth:
Katherine Henrietta
She was the daughter of John IV, Duke of Braganza and King of Portugal, by Louisa Maria, daughter of John Manuel Domingo Perez de Guzman, 8th Duke of Medina-Sidonia, and she was born on 15 (O.S.) or 25 (N.S.) November, 1638, at Vila Viçosa, Lisbon, Portugal. She was never crowned as Queen Consort because she was a Roman Catholic and could not take part in the Anglican coronation ritual. She died on 30 November or 1 December, 1705, at Belém Palace or at Bemposta Palace, Lisbon, Portugal, and was buried in the monastery of Belém, Lisbon.
Issue of marriage:
1 Miscarriage
This occurred in 1662.
2 Stillborn child
It was born in February, 1666, at Oxford.
3 Stillborn child
It was born on 7 May, 1668.
4 Stillborn child
It was born on c.7 June, 1669.
Charles II also had the following illegitimate issue:
By Margaret de Carteret of Jersey:
1 James, a Jesuit (1646–1667?).
By Lucy (1630?–1658), daughter of Richard Walter of Haverfordwest:
2 James Crofts, who took his wife’s surname of Scott upon marriage, Duke of Monmouth (1649–executed 1685); he married Anne (1651–1732), daughter of Francis Scott, Earl of Buccleuch, and had issue.
Monmouth always claimed that his parents had been married, and that he was therefore legitimate; he also claimed to possess their marriage lines, but never produced them.
Lucy Walter bore another child, Mary, but Charles II was not her father.
By Elizabeth, afterwards Lady Shannon, daughter of Sir Robert Killigrew:
3 Charlotte Jemima Henrietta Maria FitzRoy (1650–1684); she married firstly James Howard, Earl of Suffolk (d.1669). She married secondly William Paston, 2nd Earl of Yarmouth (1653–1732), and had issue.
By Katherine, daughter of Thomas Pegge of Yeldersley, Derbyshire:
4 Charles FitzCharles, Earl of Plymouth (1657–1680); he married Bridget (d.1718), daughter of Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds.
5 Katherine (1658–1759); she was a nun at Dunkirk, France.
6 Unnamed daughter (?) (Katherine?); her existence is conjectural. She is said to have died young.
By Barbara (1641–1709), daughter of William Villiers, 2nd Viscount Grandison, and wife of Roger Palmer, Earl of Castlemaine; she was later created Duchess of Cleveland in her own right:
7 Anne FitzRoy (1661–1722); she married Thomas Lennard, Earl of Sussex (1654–1715). She was possibly the daughter of Roger Palmer, although the King acknowledged her as his own.
8 Charles FitzRoy, Duke of Southampton and Cleveland (1662–1730); he married firstly Mary (1664–1680), daughter of Sir Henry Wood. He married secondly Anne (1663–1745), daughter of Sir William Poultney of Misterton, Leics., and had issue.
9 Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Grafton (1663–1690); he married Isabella (d.1723), daughter of Henry Bennett, 1st Earl of Arlington, and had issue.
10 Charlotte FitzRoy (1664–1717); she married Edward Henry Lee, Earl of Lichfield (1663–1716), and had issue.
11 George FitzRoy, Duke of Northumberland (1665–1716); he married firstly Katherine (d.1714), daughter of Robert Wheatley of Bracknell, Berks., and secondly Mary (d.1738), daughter of Henry Dutton.
12 Barbara (who later assumed the name Benedicte when she entered the religious life) Prioress of Hôtel Dieu, Pontoise, France (1672–1737). She had illegitimate issue. Although Lady Castlemaine claimed that Charles II was Barbara’s father, other evidence makes it more probable that she was the daughter of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.
By Eleanor, known as ‘Nell’ (1650–1687), daughter of Thomas Gwyn or Gwynne:
13 Charles Beauclerk, Duke of St Albans (1670–1726); he married Diana (d.1742), daughter of Aubrey de Vere, 20th Earl of Oxford, and had issue.
14 James, Lord Beauclerk (1671–1680).
By Louise Renée de Penencoët de Quérouialle (or Kérouaille), Duchess of Portsmouth in her own right (1649–1734):
15 Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond, and Duke of Aubigny in France (1672–1723); he married Anne, daughter of Francis, Lord Brudenell, and had issue.
By Mary, or ‘Moll’, Davies, an actress:
16 Mary Tudor (1673–1726); she married firstly Edward Ratcliffe, 2nd Earl of Derwentwater (1655–1705), and had issue. She married secondly Henry Graham of Levens (d.1707), and thirdly James Rooke.
CHARLES II
He died on 6 February, 1685, at Whitehall Palace, London, of the effects of a stroke, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
He was succeeded by his brother James.
James II
FATHER: Charles I ( see here).
MOTHER: Henrietta Maria of France ( see here, under Charles I).
SIBLINGS: ( see here, under Charles I).
JAMES II
He was born on 14 (O.S.) or 24 (N.S.) October, 1633, at St James’s Palace, London, and was designated Duke of York from birth. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 20 April, 1642. He was created Duke of York on 27 January, 1644, and Earl of Ulster on 10 May, 1659. He was created Duke of Normandy by Louis XIV of France on 31 December, 1660. He succeeded his brother Charles II as King of Great Britain on 6 February, 1685. Having converted to Roman Catholicism sometime previously, he was privately crowned by Catholic rites on 22 April, 1685, at Whitehall Palace, London; he was crowned by the traditional Anglican ritual on 23 April, 1685, at Westminster Abbey.
James II married firstly, in secret in November or on 24 December, 1659, at Breda, Holland (although doubts exist as to whether this ceremony ever took place), and publicly on 3 September, 1660, at Worcester House, The Strand, London:
Anne
She was the daughter of Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, by Frances, daughter of Sir Thomas Aylesbury, and she was born on 12 or 22 March, 1637, at Cranbourne Lodge, Windsor. She died on 31 March, 1671, at St James’s Palace, London, of cancer, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Issue of marriage:
1 Charles
He was born on 22 October, 1660, at Worcester House, The Strand, London, and was designated Duke of Cambridge. He died on 5 May, 1661, at Whitehall Palace, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
2 Mary II ( see here).
3 James
He was born on 11 or 12 July, 1663, at St James’s Palace, London. He was created Duke and Earl of Cambridge and Baron of Dauntsey, Wilts., on 23 August, 1664, and was made a Knight of the Garter on 3 December, 1666. He died on 20 June, 1667, at Richmond Palace, Surrey, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
4 Queen Anne ( see here).
5 Charles
He was born on 4 July, 1666, at St James’s Palace, London, and was designated Duke of Kendal, Earl of Wigmore and Baron Holdenby; there is no evidence of any formal creation. He died on 22 May, 1667, at St James’s Palace, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
6 Edgar
He was born on 14 September, 1667, at St James’s Palace, London. He was created Duke and Earl of Cambridge and Baron of Dauntsey, Wilts., on 7 October, 1667. He died on 8 June, 1671, at Richmond Palace, Surrey, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
7 Henrietta
She was born on 13 January, 1669, at Whitehall Palace, London. She died on 15 November, 1669, at St James’s Palace, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
8 Katherine
She was born on 9 February, 1671, probably at Whitehall Palace, London (less probably at Richmond Palace, Surrey). She died on 5 December, 1671, at St James’s Palace, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
James II married secondly, by proxy on 20 (O.S.) or 30 (N.S.) September, 1673, at the Ducal Palace, Modena, Italy, and in person on 21 November, 1673, at Dover, Kent:
Mary Beatrice Eleanor Anne Margaret Isabella
Baptised Maria, but called Mary from the time of her marriage, she was the daughter of Alfonso d’Este III, Duke of Modena, by Laura, daughter of Girolamo Martinozzi, and she was born on 25 September (O.S.) or 5 October (N.S.), 1658, at the Ducal Palace, Modena, Italy. She was crowned Queen Consort by Catholic rites on 22 April, 1685, at Whitehall Palace, London, and by Anglican rites on 23 April, 1685, at Westminster Abbey. She died on 7/8 May, 1718, at the Château of St Germain-en-Laye, Paris, of cancer, and was buried in the Abbey of the Visitation of St Mary, Chaillot, France (although her body was later destroyed during the French Revolution).
Issue of marriage:
1 Stillborn child
It was born in March or May, 1674.
2 Katherine Laura
She was born on 10 January, 1675, at St James’s Palace, London. She died on 3 October, 1675, at St James’s Palace, London, of convulsions, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
3 Stillborn child
It was born in October, 1675.
4 Isabella
She was born on 18 (O.S.) or 28 (N.S.) August, 1676, at St James’s Palace, London. She died on 2 or 4 March, 1681, at St James’s Palace, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
5 Charles
He was born on 7 November, 1677, at St James’s Palace, London, and was designated Duke of Cambridge. He died on 12 December, 1677, at St James’s Palace, of smallpox, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
6 Elizabeth
She was born and died in c.1678.
7 Stillborn child
It was born in February, 1681.
8 Charlotte Maria
She was born on 16 August, 1682, either at St James’s Palace, London, or at Windsor Castle. She died on 6 October, 1682, at St James’s Palace, of convulsions, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
9 Stillborn child
It was born in October, 1683.
10 Stillborn child
It was born in May, 1684.
11 James Francis Edward
Called ‘James III’, according to Roman Catholic doctrine, he was also known as the ‘Chevalier de St George’ or ‘The Old Pretender’. He was born on 10 June, 1688, at St James’s Palace, London. There were widespread rumours at the time that he was a changeling, smuggled into the Queen’s bed in a warming pan, but this was mere political invention. What is certain is that the birth of a Catholic heir ensured that James II’s days as King were numbered. James was Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay from birth, and was styled Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester from birth. His father abdicated when he was a baby, and he spent his life in exile in France or Italy. He was made a Knight of the Garter in 1692. He succeeded his father as Stuart pretender to the throne of Great Britain (from which he was barred by the Act of Settlement) on 16 September, 1701, and was proclaimed in France as ‘James III of England and VIII of Scotland’. He was attainted by Act of Parliament on 2 March, 1702, and forfeited all his British titles. He died on 1 January, 1766, in Rome, where he was buried in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
James married, by proxy on 9 (O.S.) or 19 (N.S.) May, 1719, at Bologna, Italy, and in person on 1 or 3 September, 1719, at Montefiascone Cathedral, Italy:
Maria Casimire Clementina
She was the daughter of Prince James Louis Henry Sobieski of Poland, by Hedwig Elizabeth Amelia, daughter of Philip William, Elector of Pfalz-Neuburg, and she was born on 6 (O.S.) or 17/18 (N.S.) July, 1702. She was called ‘Queen of Great Britain’ by adherents of the Stuarts. She died on 12 or 18 January, 1735, at the Apostolic Palace, Rome, and was buried in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Issue of marriage:
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(i) |
Charles Edward Louis John Philip Casimir Sylvester Maria |
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Called ‘Charles III’ by his adherents, he was also known as the ‘Chevalier de St George’, ‘The Young Pretender’ and ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’. He was born on 31 December, 1720, at the Palazzo Muti, Rome, and was styled ‘Prince of Wales’ from birth. He sometimes styled himself ‘Count of Albany’. On the death of his father on 1 January, 1766, he succeeded him as Stuart pretender to the throne of Great Britain, styling himself ‘Charles III’. He died on 30/31 January, 1788, at the Palazzo Muti, Papazurri, Rome, and was buried in Frascati Cathedral, Italy. His remains were later removed to St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. |
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Charles had the following illegitimate issue: |
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By Clementina Maria Sophia Walkinshaw, Countess of Alberstroff (d.1802): |
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1 Charlotte, Countess of Albany in her own right (1753–1789). She had illegitimate issue. |
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Charles married, by proxy on 28 March, 1772, in Paris, and in person on 17 April, 1772, at the Chapel of the Palazzo Compagnani, Marefoschi, Macerata, Ancona, Italy: |
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Louise Maximiliana Caroline Emanuèle |
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She was the daughter of Gustavus Adolphus, Prince of Stolberg-Gedern, by Elizabeth Philippine Claudine, daughter of Maximilian Emanuel, Prince of Homes and of the Empire. She was born on 20 or 21 September, 1752, at Mons, Hainault, Flanders. After her marriage, she was styled ‘Queen of Great Britain’ by adherents of the Jacobite cause. It is possible, but not probable, that she made a second marriage, either with Count Vittorio Alfieri, or with Francis Xavier Fabre. She died on 29 January, 1824, at Florence, Italy, and was buried in the Church of Santa Croce, Florence. |
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(ii) |
Henry Benedict Maria Clement Thomas Francis Xavier |
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He was born on 6 or 21 March, 1725, at the Palazzo Muti, Papazurri, Rome, Italy, and was styled ‘Duke of York’ from birth by adherents of the Jacobite cause. He entered the Roman Catholic Church, and was ordained Cardinal Deacon on 30 June, 1747, and Cardinal of Santa Maria, Portici, on 3 July, 1747, before being ordained as a priest on 1 September, 1748. He was known thereafter as ‘Cardinal York’. He was provided to the Archbishopric of Corinth on 19 November, 1758, but was translated to the Bishopric of Frascati, Italy, on 13 July, 1761. He succeeded his brother Charles as Pretender to the throne of Great Britain on 30/31 January, 1788, styling himself ‘Henry IX’. He died on 13 July, 1807, at Frascati, Italy, and was buried in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Rome, after being briefly laid to rest in the church of St Andrea della Valle, Rome. |
12 Louisa Maria Theresa
She was baptised Louisa Maria, and received the name Theresa at her confirmation. She was born on 18 (O.S.) or 28 (N.S.) June, 1692, at the Château of St Germain-en-Laye, Paris, and died there on 8 (O.S.) or 18 (N.S.) April, 1712. She was buried in the Chapel of St Edmund in the Church of the English Benedictines, Rue St Jacques, Paris, but later transferred to St Germain-en-Laye by order of George IV.
James II also had the following illegitimate issue:
By Arabella (1648–1730), daughter of Sir Winston Churchill and sister of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough:
1 Henrietta FitzJames (1667–1730); she married firstly Henry, 1st Baron Waldegrave of Chewton, Somerset (1661–1690), and had issue. She married secondly Piers Butler, 2nd Viscount of Galmoye (d.1740).
2 James FitzJames (1670–1734), Duke of Berwick; he married firstly Honora (1674–1697), daughter of William Bourke, Earl of Clanricarde, and had issue. He married secondly Anne (d.1751), daughter of Henry Bulkely, and had issue.
3 Henry FitzJames, Duke of Albemarle (1673–1702); he married Marie Gabrielle (1675–1741), daughter of John d’Audibert, Count of Lussan, and had issue.
4 Arabella (1674–1704); she became a nun at Pontoise, France, under the name Ignatia.
Arabella Churchill may have borne James other children who died young prior to 1670.
By Katherine, Countess of Dorchester (1657–1717), daughter of Sir Charles Sedley:
5 Katherine Darnley (1679/81–1743); she married firstly James Annesley, Earl of Anglesey (d.1702), but they later divorced. She married secondly John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham and Normanby (1647–1721), and had issue.
6 James Darnley (1684–1685).
7 Charles Darnley (d. young).
JAMES II
He was deemed by Parliament to have abdicated on 11 December, 1688, by fleeing the country to exile in France. He was formally deposed by Parliament on 23 December, 1688. He died on 16 September, 1701, at the Château of St Germain-en-Laye, near Paris. His body was temporarily buried in the Chapel of St Edmund in the Church of the English Benedictines in the Rue St Jacques, Paris, whilst hopefully awaiting eventual transportation to England for burial in Westminster Abbey. The body seems to have disappeared, however, during the French Revolution, although there are reports that it was found and reinterred at St Germain-en-Laye by order of George IV.
An Interregnum followed the deposition of James II, who was succeeded two months later by his son-in-law William of Orange and his daughter Mary as joint sovereigns.
William III and Mary II
WILLIAM III
FATHER: William (II)
He was the son of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, by Amalia, daughter of John Albert I, Count of Solms-Braunfels, and he was born on 27 May, 1626, at The Hague, Holland. He married Mary Stuart on 2 May, 1641, at the Chapel Royal, Whitehall Palace, London. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 2 March, 1645. He succeeded his father as William II, Stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, in March, 1647. He died on 6 November, 1650, at the Binnenhof Palace at The Hague, of smallpox, and was buried at Delft, Holland.
MOTHER: Mary Henrietta
She was the daughter of Charles I, King of Great Britain, by Henrietta Maria of France, and she was born on 4 or 29 November, 1631, at St James’s Palace, London. She was designated Princess Royal in c.1642, thus establishing the tradition that the eldest daughter of a British sovereign bears the title Princess Royal. She died on 24 December, 1660, at Whitehall Palace, London, of smallpox, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
SIBLINGS: William III did not have any siblings.
WILLIAM III
Baptised William Henry, he was born on 4 (O.S.) or 14 (N.S.) November, 1650, at the Binnenhof Palace, The Hague, Holland. He was Stadtholder of Holland from birth, his father having predeceased him, but was deprived of the title during his childhood. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 25 April, 1653. He was designated Count of Nassau-Dillenburg, and reinstated as Stadtholder of Holland in 1672. He acceded to the throne of Great Britain as joint sovereign with his wife Mary (the rightful heir) on 13 February, 1689, following the Interregnum after the abdication and deposition of his father-in-law James II. William was crowned on 11 April, 1689, at Westminster Abbey. He died on 8 March, 1702, at Kensington Palace, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
William III married, on 4 November, 1677, either at St James’s Palace or at Whitehall Palace, London:
MARY II
FATHER: James II ( see here).
MOTHER: Anne Hyde ( see here, under James II).
SIBLINGS: ( see here, under James II).
MARY II
She was born on 30 April, 1662, at St James’s Palace, London. She was proclaimed Queen of Great Britain on 13 February, 1689, following the deposition of her father and the Interregnum; she reigned as joint sovereign with her husband, with whom she was crowned on 11 April, 1689. She died on 28 December, 1694, at Kensington Palace, London, of smallpox, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Issue of marriage:
1 Stillborn child
It was born in c.April, 1678, at Breda, Holland.
2 Stillborn child
It was born in September, 1678, at Hanserlaersdyck, Holland.
3 Stillborn child
It was born in February, 1680, at The Hague, Holland.
WILLIAM III
After Mary II’s death, William III reigned alone, the rightful heir, Anne Stuart, having given up her place in the succession to him for the term of his life.
William was succeeded by Anne in 1702.
Queen Anne
FATHER: James II ( see here).
MOTHER: Anne Hyde ( see here, under James II).
SIBLINGS: ( see here, under James II).
QUEEN ANNE
She was born on 6 February, 1665, at St James’s Palace, London. She succeeded her brother-in-law William III as Queen of Great Britain on 8 March, 1702, and was crowned on 23 April, 1702, at Westminster Abbey. In 1707, she adopted the royal style Queen of Great Britain, France and Scotland, following the Act of Union.
Queen Anne married, on 28 July, 1683, at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London:
George
He was the son of Frederick III of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, by Sophia Amelia, daughter of George, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneberg, and he was born on 2 April (date on coffin plate), 29 February, 11 November or 21 April, 1653, at Copenhagen, Denmark. He was naturalised as an English subject on 20 September, 1683, and made a Knight of the Garter on 1 January, 1684. He was created Duke of Cumberland, Earl of Kendal and Baron Wokingham (‘Ockingham’) on 6 April, 1689. During Queen Anne’s reign he was styled Prince George, never King Consort. He died on 28 October, 1708, at Kensington Palace, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Issue of marriage:
1 Stillborn daughter
She was born on 12 May, 1684, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
2 Mary or Marie
She was born on 2 June, 1685, at Whitehall Palace, London. She died on 8 February, 1687, at Windsor Castle of ‘an acute infection’, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
3 Anne Sophia
She was born on 12 May, 1686, at Windsor Castle. She died there on 2 February, 1687, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
4 Stillborn child
It was born between 20 January and 4 February, 1687, probably on 21 January, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
5 Stillborn son
He was born on 22 October, 1687, and was buried in Westminster Abbey on the day of his birth.
6 Miscarriage
It occurred on 16 April, 1688.
7 Stillborn child (?)
It was perhaps born late in 1688.
8 William Henry
He was born on 24 July, 1689, at Hampton Court Palace, and was styled Duke of Gloucester from birth, although he was never formally so created. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 6 January, 1695. He died on 30 July, 1700, at Windsor Castle, of hydrocephalus, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
9 Mary
She was born on 14 October, 1690, at St James’s Palace, London, where she died, aged 2 hours, the same day. She was buried in Westminster Abbey.
10 George
He was born on 17 April, 1692, at Syon House, Brentford, Middlesex, where he died, aged a few minutes, the same day. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.
11 Stillborn daughter
She was born on 23 March, 1693, at Berkely House, St James’s Street, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
12 Stillborn child
It was born on 21 January, 1694, and may have been a daughter.
13 Stillborn daughter
She was born on 17 or 18 February, 1695.
14 Stillborn son
Of six months’ growth, he was born on 25 March, 1696.
15 Stillborn twins
A male foetus of 2 or 3 months’ growth and a male foetus of 7 months’ growth were born on 25 March, 1697, and were buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
16 Stillborn son
He was born in early December (before 10 December), 1697.
17 Stillborn son
He was born on 15 September, 1698, at Windsor Castle, and was buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
18 Stillborn son
He was born on 25 January, 1700, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
QUEEN ANNE
She died on 1 August, 1714, at Kensington Palace, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Although she conceived 19 children, none survived her, and she was the last Stuart sovereign.
She was succeeded by her third cousin, Prince George of Hanover.