James II (1633-1701) Lord Admiral of the Navy, British king who converted to Catholicism in 1672 in order to marry Mary of Modena. Anti-Catholic feeling running high, Parliament responded by passing the Test Act, which forbid Catholics from holding public office and forced James from his, whereupon he vacated Britain and lived in exile a number of years. Eventually Charles II recalled him back to the admiral's office. James became king in 1685, and attempted to reintegrate Catholics into British political and military offices, going to the extreme measure of dissolving Parliament when it didn't conform to his wishes. Protestant nobles within Britain countered by negotiating with William of Orange to become king; James, losing his support, eventually fled Britain again. Since the transition of power occurred without bloodshed, it was termed the "Glorious Revolution," and affirmed that, at least in Britain, the legislative body of government (Parliament) was supreme over the executive (king.) After he was deposed, he became religious, living in France until his death.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., vol. 15, pg. 138.
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