OCR Specification focus:
‘James’ aims; the 1685 elections; reassurances to Protestants; Argyll and Monmouth Rebellions; the Bloody Assizes.’
James II’s accession in 1685 marked a critical moment in Stuart monarchy history, defined by his Catholicism, attempts at reassurance, and swift challenges through rebellion and repression.
Accession of James II
James II ascended the throne in February 1685 following the death of his brother, Charles II.
Coronation Procession of James II, 1685. The image shows the ordered ceremonial sequence, regalia, and officers that framed James’s public accession, helping to explain his early attempt to project legitimacy and stability. Some ceremonial details exceed the syllabus but aid visual understanding of royal authority in 1685. Source
Unlike his predecessor, James made no effort to disguise his Catholic faith, which immediately caused anxiety in a predominantly Protestant England. His aims were clear: to consolidate royal authority, to ensure loyalty among his subjects, and to secure acceptance of his rule despite religious tensions.
James’ early approach was pragmatic. He promised to uphold the established Church of England and to govern within the law, hoping to mitigate fears of Catholic absolutism.
Absolutism: A system of monarchy in which the ruler holds supreme and unrestricted power, often justified by divine right.
His coronation was celebrated without major unrest, and the political atmosphere initially seemed stable, aided by the desire for continuity after the uncertainty of Charles II’s final years.
The 1685 Elections
James called elections to Parliament in the spring of 1685. These elections produced what became known as the ‘Loyal Parliament’, as a majority of MPs were sympathetic to the monarchy. Many were Tories, loyal to the Stuart dynasty, who had grown wary of Whig radicalism during the Exclusion Crisis of the late 1670s and early 1680s.
Key features of the elections included:
A decisive Tory majority, marginalising Whig influence.
Strong emphasis on loyalty to the crown rather than opposition.
James’ confidence that Parliament would support his financial and political policies.
Despite this favourable result, underlying fears about James’ religion and his long-term intentions persisted among the political elite.
Reassurances to Protestants
Aware of these fears, James issued public reassurances:
He declared his commitment to the Church of England as the established faith.
He promised to defend Protestantism in England and abroad, particularly against Catholic France.
His speeches at the opening of Parliament in May 1685 emphasised the rule of law and his desire for stability.
However, suspicion remained, as many Protestants believed his reassurances to be tactical rather than heartfelt.
The Argyll Rebellion
Almost immediately after James’ accession, opposition manifested in Scotland. The Argyll Rebellion (May 1685) was led by Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, a Scottish Protestant noble who opposed James’ Catholicism.
Argyll landed in western Scotland with a small force, hoping to raise support from discontented Covenanters.
His forces were poorly equipped and failed to inspire widespread rebellion.
Government troops quickly suppressed the uprising, and Argyll was captured and executed in June 1685.
The rebellion highlighted how opposition to James could unite disparate Protestant groups, but its failure reinforced the strength of the monarchy.
The Monmouth Rebellion
The more serious challenge came in June 1685 with the Monmouth Rebellion. James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, illegitimate son of Charles II, landed in Dorset with a small force. He declared himself the rightful Protestant heir, capitalising on anti-Catholic sentiment.
Key elements of the rebellion:
Monmouth drew support from disaffected Protestants in the West Country, especially among artisans and farmers.
He proclaimed himself king at Taunton and attempted to rally popular resistance.
His forces were poorly armed and largely untrained.
The decisive battle occurred at Sedgemoor on 6 July 1685, where royal forces crushed Monmouth’s army. Monmouth was captured and executed shortly thereafter.
Sedgemoor (1685): The last pitched battle on English soil, fought between Monmouth’s rebels and James II’s royal army. The victory secured James’ throne temporarily.
The Bloody Assizes
In the wake of the Monmouth Rebellion, James authorised brutal reprisals to deter future uprisings. These trials, known as the Bloody Assizes, were overseen by the notorious Judge George Jeffreys.
George Jeffreys (mid-1680s), the Lord Chief Justice who presided over the Bloody Assizes following the Monmouth Rebellion. The portrait situates the legal repression in a real historical figure central to 1685 events. Source
The outcomes were severe:
Around 1,000 prisoners were tried.
Hundreds were executed, often in gruesome public displays.
Others were transported to the colonies as indentured labourers.
The Bloody Assizes reinforced James’ image as an authoritarian ruler, willing to employ terror to secure obedience.
Consequences of 1685
The events of James’ first year as king were significant for shaping perceptions of his reign:
His aims to consolidate power seemed achievable, as both rebellions were swiftly suppressed.
The 1685 elections demonstrated Parliament’s willingness to support the monarchy initially.
His reassurances to Protestants were undermined by his heavy-handed response to rebellion and his visible Catholic practices.
The Argyll and Monmouth Rebellions confirmed that opposition to a Catholic monarch was deeply entrenched in both Scotland and England.
The Bloody Assizes tarnished James’ reputation, cementing fears of tyranny and cruelty.
Ultimately, while James survived the immediate challenges of 1685, the year revealed the fragility of his rule and the limits of repression as a long-term strategy.
FAQ
Local support for the Argyll Rebellion was weak. Many Covenanters, who might have backed Argyll, were divided and weary after years of persecution.
Argyll’s failure to unite key groups, combined with his limited resources, meant that potential supporters either stayed neutral or actively avoided involvement, ensuring his rebellion lacked momentum from the outset.
Although illegitimate, Monmouth was popular because he was Protestant and the charismatic son of Charles II.
He had a personal following built from his earlier military reputation.
Anti-Catholic feeling made many view him as a preferable alternative to James II.
His claim, though legally weak, appealed to those prioritising religion over legitimacy.
The Somerset Levels’ marshy terrain proved difficult for Monmouth’s forces. Their attempted night march across unfamiliar ditches and waterways led to confusion.
Royal troops, familiar with the ground and positioned defensively, capitalised on rebel disarray. Geography, therefore, directly contributed to the failure of Monmouth’s final gamble.
In London, reactions were mixed. Supporters of James II viewed the trials as necessary deterrence.
However, many, including moderates, were appalled by the severity of executions and deportations. Reports of Judge Jeffreys’ cruelty circulated widely, fuelling the growing perception of James as a tyrant.
The “Loyal Parliament” elected in 1685 was dominated by Tories. Their loyalty allowed James to secure subsidies and maintain authority at the outset of his reign.
Yet this short-term strength concealed tensions. By over-relying on Tory support, James underestimated lingering suspicion, which later undermined his relationship with Parliament when his religious policies became more explicit.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
In which year did the Battle of Sedgemoor take place, and which rebel leader was defeated there?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for correctly identifying the year as 1685.
1 mark for correctly identifying the rebel leader as James Scott, Duke of Monmouth.
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain why the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685 failed.
Mark Scheme:
Award up to 6 marks.
Up to 2 marks for identifying reasons:
Monmouth’s army was poorly trained and equipped.
He failed to gain widespread noble or gentry support.
Loyalist troops were better organised and commanded.
Up to 4 marks for explanation of how these reasons led to failure:
The lack of discipline among Monmouth’s supporters left them unable to resist professional royal forces.
The rebellion remained largely regional, attracting mainly West Country farmers and artisans, limiting its strength.
Royal forces, led by experienced commanders, decisively defeated the rebels at Sedgemoor, ending hopes of success.
Monmouth’s capture and execution destroyed the rebellion’s leadership, ensuring its collapse.
Level descriptors:
1–2 marks: Identifies limited reasons with little or no explanation.
3–4 marks: Provides some explanation with relevant detail but limited depth.
5–6 marks: Offers a clear, developed explanation linking several reasons to the rebellion’s failure.
