| James was the second surviving son of Charles I | | | | commanded the Royal Navy during the Second |
| and Henrietta Maria of France and was born on 14 | | | | and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars. Following the capture |
| October 1633. When Charles I was executed in | | | | of the Dutch territory of New Netherland in 1664, |
| 1649, monarchists proclaimed James’ older | | | | it was re-named the Province of New York after |
| brother, Charles, as King Charles II. Both brothers | | | | James and his title of Duke of York. James |
| sought refuge on the Continent, where James | | | | converted to Catholicism in 1668, it became public |
| fought in both the French and Spanish armies. | | | | knowledge in 1673, relinquishing his post as Lord |
| During his service with the Spanish army, he | | | | High Admiral. Charles II, opposed the conversion |
| became close with two Irish Catholic brothers, | | | | and ordered that James’ two daughters be |
| Peter and Richard Talbot who were in the | | | | raised as Protestants, however he allowed James |
| Royalist household. Under the Talbot’s | | | | marry his second wife, Mary of Modena in a |
| influence James became estranged from | | | | Catholic ceremony. In 1677, James’ daughter |
| Charles’ Anglican advisors. After | | | | Mary married the Protestant William of Orange, |
| Cromwell’s death in 1658 and the subsequent | | | | who was also James’ nephew. However, |
| collapse of the Commonwealth, Charles II was | | | | there were widespread fears throughout England |
| restored to the throne. In 1660, James astonished | | | | of a Catholic monarch succeeding to the throne |
| everyone when he married a commoner, Anne | | | | because Charles II had produced no heirs, some |
| Hyde, they had two children who survived past | | | | members of Parliament even proposed that the |
| birth - Mary and Anne. After the Restoration, | | | | crown should go to his illegitimate son, James |
| James was appointed as Lord High Admiral and he | | | | Scott, First Duke of Monmouth. |