James II: A Study in Kingship

The English Monarchs

by John Leslie Miller

James II (1633-1701) lacked the charisma of his father, Charles I, but shared his tendency to dismiss the views of others when they differed from his own. Failing to understand his subjects, James was also misunderstood by them. In this highly-regarded biography, John Miller reassesses James II and his reign, drawing on a wide array of primary sources from France, Italy, and Ireland as well as England. Miller argues that the king had many laudable attributes—he was brave, loyal, honorable, and hard-working, and he was at least as benevolent toward his people as his father had been. Yet James's conversion to Catholicism fueled the distrust of his Protestant subjects who placed the worst possible construction on his actions and statements. Although James came to see the securing of religious freedom for Catholics in the wider context of freedom for all religious minorities, his people naturally doubted the sincerity of his commitment to toleration.

The book explores James's relations with the state and society, focusing on the political, diplomatic, and religious issues that shaped his reign. Miller discusses the human failings, the gulf of understanding between the king and his subjects, and the sheer bad luck that led to James's downfall. He also considers the reasons for James's lack of interest in recovering his kingdom after his flight to France in 1688. This revised edition of the book includes a substantial new foreword assessing recent work on the reign.

About the Author:
John Miller is professor of modern history at Queen Mary College, University of London.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Royalty, 17th Century

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Michael Bully · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Yooperprof · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best account I've yet read of the reign of James II and the events in the Three Kingdoms of 1688-90.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to have a fairly sympathetic biography of James 11. This is probably not the book to satisfy any real interest in the man and the period but I used it to fill out the Royal Navy and the wars against the Dutch during the reign of Charles 11 when his 12 year old brother James was Lord Admiral. I did need to look up a number of portraits of people who appear in this book in order to keep them in my mind. So it takes a bit of work but can be used to get the bare bones of the man and the period and his short reign.

[Linda Finlayson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting biography about the life and times of James II. However, I think the author failed to grasp the importance of James' religious convictions. Much of what James did to bring about his own downfall had to do with both his amazing stubbornness and his need to convert his people to the 'true religion.' While the author acknowledged both, he placed more emphasis on the former, and treating the later as a side issue.