James II of England

James II and VII reigned from February 1685 until his deposition in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution, and was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland and Ireland. His reign centered on conflicts regarding religion, absolutism and the divine right of kings, and his deposition ultimately confirmed Parliament's supremacy over the Crown. As the second surviving son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France, James converted to Catholicism in the 1660s, which sparked significant concern; though he initially succeeded his brother Charles II with broad support, his efforts to advance Catholic interests and impose absolutist policies generated opposition, and the birth of his Catholic heir in June 1688, combined with the acquittal of seven bishops prosecuted for opposing his religious policies, destabilized his authority.