Description
The personal side of James II and VII has long been obscured by the propagandastorm emanating from the Glorious Revolution of 1688, one of the great foundingmyths of modern Britain. Justine Brown unveils James the man, teasing out a freshdimension. The Private Life of James II details the romantic adventures of a trueCavalierhandsome, courageous, loyal, pleasure-seeking, lusty, determined andsoulful. The Stuart spare briefly experienced a golden childhood before, aged nine,he was flung headlong into the English Civil Wars of 1642-1649. After escapingEngland in disguise, he endured the execution of his adored father, Charles I, andyears of exile on the Continent. In 1660 the Duke of York returned to his native landin triumph. He rode into the capital at the right hand of his brother, Charles II. Jamesfully embraced the role of Restoration rake, headed up the Royal Navy, fought theFire of London with gusto, and was a great patron of theatre, painting, and music. The darling of the peop
