Reviews for James the Second

The average rating for James the Second based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-06-25 00:00:00 Simpson Steven Most impressed. A clear and objective look at James II of England/James VII of Scotland. The writer's emphasis is on stressing how in Restoration Britain there was an impulse in favour of seeking order rather than radical change. That rebellion such as the Presbyterian rising in Scotland 1679 were minor affairs. The Exclusion crisis of the 1670's - in which more strident Protestants tried to exclude James as Duke of York from the succession to the crown -was boisterous and rowdy and nothing like as turbulent as the early 1640's. And James did get to the throne in 1685 with hardly any protest until the Duke of Monmouth and the Duke of Argyll began their rebellions which were easily contained. Paradoxically , though James II is associated with absolutism and returning to the uncompromising politics of his father Charles I, this writer suggests that once on the throne, James II has some quite radical policies for the day. Moving towards greater toleration of Roman Catholics and Protestant Dissenters, which went against Anglican privilege , greater economic growth, encouragement of immigration to Britain. He was keen to avoid his kingdoms becoming embroiled in a European war. Contrary to most popular perception, he did not have a particularly cordial relationship with the Pope, was far more critical of Louis XIV than is imagined, and had a constructive relationship with William of Orange at the start of his reign. The hopelessness of the Ireland campaign in 1689-1691, and also James' later sense of shame for his sexual promiscuity developing into a Catholic version of Puritanism at the end of his life, are particularly fascinating. Was also intrigued by the details of James as Duke of York trying to operate as a business investor. There is not a great deal of information offered about James' stint as an admiral in the 1660's. Overall it is encouraging to find a work that tries to dismantle traditional preconceptions about James II.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-03-17 00:00:00 Dustin Dutra Best account I've yet read of the reign of James II and the events in the Three Kingdoms of 1688-90.