RUMORS OF ROYALTY
The Players
The English Players
King James II, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland
Second surviving son of King Charles I, younger brother to King Charles II. Lord High Admiral for Charles II during the Anglo-Dutch wars of the 1660s and 1670s. Practicing Catholic from about 1670, openly so after 1676. Ascended the throne in 1685 when Charles II died without any legitimate heirs.
Anne Hyde
King James II’s first wife. They were secretly wed in 1660 after she found herself pregnant, despite opposition from the rest of James’s family. Secret Catholic for most of her life, openly so (at least with James) in the last few years of her life. Two surviving daughters, Mary and Anne.
Mary of Modena, later Queen Mary
Second wife of King James II. Devout Italian Catholic. Had intended to enter a convent before being persuaded (by the Pope!) to marry James in 1673. Fertile (she conceived at least six or seven times before 1685), but either miscarried or lost the children in infancy. Not exactly inspiring odds for those hoping for an heir.
Mary Stuart
Eldest surviving daughter of King James II and Anne Hyde. Mostly raised apart from her parents and educated by the bishops of Winchester and London, to avoid any possible question about her faith. Married to the Dutch Prince of Orange, William (who was also her cousin, by way of her paternal aunt).
Anne Stuart
Second surviving daughter of King James II and Anne Hyde. Devoutly Anglican. Married to Danish Prince George, but no surviving children before 1688 (this becomes important). After James’s ascension, Anne’s household became the anchor for the high ranking Protestants in England. Rejected all attempts to convert her to Catholicism.
James Francis Edward Stuart
Son and heir to King James II and Mary of Modena. His conception and birth provided his half-sister Mary Stuart and her husband, William of Orange, with an opportunity to seize the English throne.
The Continental Players
William of Orange
Nephew to King James II by way of his mother Mary, James’ sister, who was married to the Prince of Orange. Married his first cousin Mary Stuart. Prince of the Dutch house of Orange, ruler for the United Dutch Provinces. Not particularly fond of either of his Stuart royal uncles. Spent most of the 1670s and 1680s avoiding becoming completely entangled in English politics.
Cosimo III de’ Medici
Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1670 to 1732, the longest reigning ruler in Medici Grand Ducal history. Became particularly enamored with England during a nine-month grand tour prior to his reign.
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