James II (1633-1701) reigned as king of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1685 to 1688. In Scotland, he ruled as James VII. James ascended to the throne on the death of his brother, Charles II. James, a Roman Catholic, favored Catholics in his policies. These policies angered many English people. When James’s wife had a son in June 1688, the prospect of another Catholic ruler united James’s opponents. In the Glorious Revolution of 1688, James fled to France and lost his throne. His Protestant daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange, ruler of the Netherlands, became joint rulers in 1689. James spent the rest of his life in exile.
James was born in London on Oct. 14, 1633. He was a younger son of Charles I. As Duke of York, James served as admiral and head of the English Navy. English forces named New York City after him. James died in France on Sept. 5, 1701.
