Isabel Stuart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isabel Stuart |
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Portrait after Sir Peter Lely, circa 1679–1681
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| Born | 28 August 1676 St James's Palace, London |
| Died | 2 March 1681 (aged 4) St James's Palace, London |
| Burial | 4 March 1681 Westminster Abbey |
| House | Stuart |
| Father | James, Duke of York |
| Mother | Mary of Modena |
Isabel Stuart (born August 28, 1676 – died March 2, 1681) was a young princess. She was also known as Isobel or Isabella. Isabel was the daughter of James II of England, who would later become king, and his second wife, Mary of Modena.
Isabel was born in London at St James's Palace. She was the second daughter for James and Mary. Her older sister, Catherine Laura, had passed away before Isabel was born. Isabel also had two older half-sisters, Mary and Anne. They were from her father's first marriage. Both Mary and Anne would later become Queens of England. Isabel's grandparents included Charles I of England and Henrietta Maria of France. Her other grandparents were Alfonso IV d'Este and Laura Martinozzi.
Contents
Isabel Stuart's Early Life
For most of her short life, Isabel was the only child of her parents. This meant she was fourth in line to the throne. She was behind her father, and her two half-sisters, Mary and Anne.
Changes in Royal Succession
When her brother, Charles Stuart, Duke of Cambridge, was born, Isabel moved down one spot. However, Charles lived for only a month. He sadly died from smallpox. After his death, Isabel moved back up to fourth in line. In 1678, another sister, Elizabeth, was born. She also lived for only a short time.
Royal Portrait
A famous artist named Sir Peter Lely painted a portrait of Isabel. This painting shows her as a young child.
Family Travels and Challenges
When Isabel was two years old, in 1678, her family faced a difficult time. A period of political fear, known as the Popish Plot, caused her parents to leave England. They went to Brussels to stay with her half-sister Mary. Isabel and Anne went with them.
Returning to England
Later, news came that her uncle, King Charles, was very ill. This made the family rush back to England. They were worried that King Charles's oldest son, James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, might try to take the throne. Monmouth had a lot of support from a group called the Exclusionists.
King Charles got better. However, he felt James and Mary had returned too soon. So, he sent them to Edinburgh, Scotland. For the next three years, they stayed on and off at Holyrood Palace. King Charles wanted Anne and Isabel to stay in London.
Separation and Sadness
In February 1680, Isabel's parents were called back to London. But they returned to Edinburgh that autumn. This time, her father, James, had an important new role. He was made the King's Commissioner to Scotland. Being separated from Isabel made her mother, Mary, very sad.
Isabel's Final Years
Isabel was the only one of her mother's children to survive past infancy. She passed away from natural causes in March 1681. She was almost five years old. Isabel died at St James's Palace, the same place where she was born.
Burial at Westminster Abbey
She was buried at Westminster Abbey on March 4, 1681. Her burial record called her "The Lady Isabella, daughter to the Duke of York."
After Isabel's Death
Isabel's death deeply affected her mother, Mary. Four years after Isabel passed away, her father became the King of England.
