James Francis Edward Stuart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids James Francis Edward |
|
|---|---|
| Prince of Wales | |
James Francis Edward Stuart, "The Old Pretender"
|
|
| Jacobite pretender | |
| Pretence | 16 September 1701 – 1 January 1766 |
| Predecessor | James II and VII |
| Successor | Charles "III" |
| Born | St. James's Palace, London, Kingdom of England |
| Died | 1 January 1766 (aged 77) Palazzo Muti, Rome, Papal States |
| Burial | St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City |
| Spouse | Maria Klementyna Sobieska |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
James Francis Edward Stuart (born June 10, 1688 – died January 1, 1766) was a prince who believed he should be King of England and Scotland. He is often called The Old Pretender. His supporters, known as Jacobites, called him James III of England and James VIII of Scotland. He was an important person in the history of the British royal family, even though he never actually became king.
Contents
Early Life and Royal Claims
James was born on June 10, 1688, at St James's Palace in London. His father was King James II of England, and his mother was Mary of Modena, who was Catholic. King James II already had two grown-up daughters from his first marriage. These daughters were raised as Protestants. Many people in Britain were Protestant and worried about having a Catholic king.
Soon after James was born, he was sent to France for safety. His father, King James II, was trying to keep his throne but was not successful. James grew up in France. The King of France, Louis XIV of France, recognized James as the rightful heir to the English and Scottish thrones. This made James the main focus for the Jacobite movement, which wanted to bring the Stuart family back to the throne.
When his father died in 1701, James was declared King by his supporters. They called him James III of England and James VIII of Scotland. France, Spain, the Papal States, and Modena also recognized him as king. These countries did not recognize the new British rulers, William III, Queen Anne, George I, or George II.
Struggles to Become King
_by_Agostino_Masucci.jpg)
In 1708, James tried to land in Scotland at the Firth of Forth. He had been delayed in France because he had measles. His French ships were stopped by the British fleet led by Admiral Sir George Byng. James had to turn back.
If James had given up his Catholic faith, he might have become king after his half-sister Anne died. But he refused to change his religion. Because of this, a German Protestant, George I of Great Britain, became King in 1714.
Also in 1714, the French forces were defeated in a war. King Louis XIV of France had to make peace with England and its allies. He signed the Treaty of Utrecht. One of the conditions was that James had to leave France.
The next year, in 1715, the Jacobites started a rebellion in Scotland. They wanted to put "King James III and VIII" on the throne. James finally arrived in Scotland after the Battle of Sheriffmuir, which had no clear winner. However, instead of being crowned, he returned to France. He was not welcomed back because his supporter, Louis XIV, had died. The new French government found James to be a problem. The Pope offered him a safe place to live in Rome, where James spent the rest of his life.
On September 3, 1719, James Francis Edward Stuart married Maria Clementina Sobieska (1702-1735). She was the granddaughter of the Polish king, John III Sobieski. They had two sons:
- Charles Edward Stuart (born December 31, 1720 – died January 31, 1788), also known as "Bonnie Prince Charlie"
- Henry Benedict Stuart (born March 11, 1725 – died July 13, 1807)
After James's attempts failed, people looked to his son, "Bonnie Prince Charlie". Charles led a rebellion in 1745 that came closer to succeeding than his father's. But when this second rebellion also failed, the Stuart family's hopes of getting the British throne back were mostly gone. James died in Rome on January 1, 1766. He is buried in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Titles and Symbols
James was given the title of Prince of Wales on July 4, 1688.
Coat of Arms
.svg)
As Prince of Wales, James had a special coat of arms. It was based on the royal coat of arms of the kingdom, but with a small silver strip with three points added to show he was the heir.
Images for kids
-
James Francis Edward as Prince of Wales, after a painting by Nicolas de Largillière
-
James Francis Edward, about 1703, portrait in the Royal Collection attributed to Alexis Simon Belle
-
The Old Pretender lands in Scotland after Sheriffmuir. An 18th-century engraving.
-
Coloured portrait of James as young man
-
James's wife, Maria Clementina Sobieska
-
Portrait of James from 1748
-
Tomb of James Francis Edward Stuart and his two sons in St. Peter's Basilica
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Jacobo Francisco Eduardo Estuardo para niños
