The Tree of Europe · Person

James II of England

Catholic king of England, Scotland and Ireland whose efforts to extend religious toleration generated strong political opposition. He was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

1633 – 1701KingStuart · ES

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

Historical portraitPortrait of James II of EnglandGodfrey Kneller · 1684Public domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 14 October 1633 Documented

Death: 16 September 1701 Documented

Role: King

Dynasty: Stuart · ES

Territories: England (ES) · Scotland (ES) · Ireland (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

King · England · Reign Pending review1685–1688Effective rule

King · Scotland · Reign Pending review1685–1688Effective rule

King · Ireland · Reign Pending review1685–1688Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

Charles I of England · ESDocumentedHenrietta Maria of FranceDocumented

Partners

Anne Hyde · ESDocumented

Children

Mary II of EnglandAnne of Great Britain

Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of James II of England. Each title retains its own status.

Period

Governments in 1685

EnglandKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- England · ESKing · Effective rule1685–1688
ScotlandKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- Scotland · ESKing · Effective rule1685–1688
IrelandKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- Ireland · ESKing · Effective rule1685–1688

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

8 recorded claims · 3 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
14 October 1633
The authority record gives the birth as 1633-10-14.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Jakob II., England, König · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
16 September 1701
The authority record gives the death as 1701-09-16.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Jakob II., England, König · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (3/3 with a precise source)

FatherDocumented
Charles I of England
The authority record identifies Charles I of England (GND 118720856) as father.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Jakob II., England, König · Relationships: father → GND 118720856
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
MotherDocumented
Henrietta Maria of France
The authority record identifies Henrietta Maria of France (GND 118904043) as mother.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Jakob II., England, König · Relationships: mother → GND 118904043
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Anne Hyde
The authority record identifies Anne Hyde (GND 100484638) as spouse.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Jakob II., England, König · Relationships: spouse → GND 100484638
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Governments (0/3 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
King · England · 1685–1688
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentPending review
King · Scotland · 1685–1688
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentPending review
King · Ireland · 1685–1688
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Biographical and contextual references (3)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

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