James, Duke of York and the Succession Crisis Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

Who was James, Duke of York?

He was the younger brother of King Charles II and next in line to the throne. He later became King James II.

Why did James’s religion cause a succession crisis?

James was openly Catholic. Many people in England were strongly Protestant and feared having a Catholic king.

How did the 1673 Test Act show that James was a Catholic?

The Test Act said officers had to take Anglican communion and deny Catholic beliefs. James refused and gave up his post, proving he was Catholic.

How did James’s second marriage increase fears about the succession?

In 1673 James married Mary of Modena, an Italian Catholic princess. People feared they would have a Catholic son who would one day be king.

Why were James’s daughters Mary and Anne less worrying to Protestants?

James’s daughters Mary and Anne were brought up as Protestants. Many people hoped one of them, not a Catholic son, would rule after James.

What did some MPs want to do about James’s right to become king?

Many Whig MPs wanted an Exclusion Bill. This would block James from the throne because he was Catholic.

How did the Tories view James’s right to the throne?

Most Tories believed in the lawful, hereditary right to rule. They thought changing the succession was more dangerous than having a Catholic king.

How did Charles II try to reduce tensions over his brother James?

Charles II took James out of important jobs and sent him away from London. James spent time in Brussels and later in Scotland.

Why did Charles II refuse to let Parliament bar James from the throne?

Charles II wanted to protect the royal family’s hereditary rights. He feared that changing the succession could lead to more conflict or even civil war.

What happened in 1685 that ended the debate over James’s succession?

Charles II died in February 1685. James became king as James II, because no Exclusion Bill had been passed.