James Stuart, Duke of Cambridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids James Stuart |
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| Duke of Cambridge; Earl of Cambridge; Baron of Dauntsey | |
Portrait by John Michael Wright, c. 1666–7. James is shown wearing the robes and top-hat of the Order of the Garter. This is the only portrait of James painted from life.
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| Born | 12 July 1663 St James's Palace, London, England |
| Died | 20 June 1667 (aged 3) Richmond Palace, Surrey |
| Burial | 26 June 1667 Westminster Abbey |
| House | Stuart |
| Father | James, Duke of York |
| Mother | Anne Hyde |
| Religion | Anglicanism |
James Stuart, Duke of Cambridge KG (born 12 July 1663 – died 20 June 1667) was a young prince from the House of Stuart. He was the second son of the Duke of York, who later became James II of England. His mother was Anne Hyde.
In 1664, when he was just a baby, James received important titles. His uncle, King Charles II, made him the first Duke of Cambridge and Baron of Dauntsey. The King also named him a Knight of the Garter, a special honour. However, James passed away before he could officially receive this honour. The King gave James a yearly payment of £3,000.
Early Life
James was born at St. James's Palace in London on 12 July 1663. He was the first son of the Duke of York and Anne Hyde to survive infancy. His grandfather was Charles I of England, and his great-grandfather was Henry IV of France.
His baptism took place on 22 July at St. James's Palace. Gilbert Sheldon, the Archbishop of Canterbury, performed the ceremony. His godparents included his uncle, King Charles II, and his grandfather, Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon. The Queen Mother, Henrietta Maria of France, was also a godmother.
Family and Titles
James was the great-grandson of King James I of England. His uncle, King Charles II, had returned to England just three years before James was born. This meant James was the King's nephew.
During James's short life, his father, the Duke of York, was a member of the Church of England. All of his children, including James, were raised in this faith. Two years after James's death, his father became a Catholic.
On 23 August 1664, King Charles II officially made James the Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Cambridge, and Baron of Dauntsey. James was one of only two sons of the Duke of York to formally receive the title of Duke of Cambridge.
In 1665, James's younger sister, Anne, was born. She would later become Queen of Great Britain. James was alive for Anne's birth, but not for his other siblings. In 1666, his brother, the Duke of Kendal, was born but lived only a short time.
Knight of the Garter
On 3 December 1666, James was named a Knight of the Garter. This was a very important honour. During the ceremony, James was brought before the King. The King placed the Order's necklace around James's neck. He then gave the Order's sash to Prince Rupert of the Rhine. The King kissed James, and the ceremony ended.
At this time, it seemed unlikely that King Charles II would have any children who would survive. Because of this, James was seen as the next in line to the throne after his father. In May 1665, King Charles II granted James a yearly payment of £3,000. This money was likely managed by his parents or nannies until he was older.
Death
James became ill in late April 1667. He likely had smallpox or bubonic plague. An eyewitness, Samuel Pepys, wrote that James was "full of spots." His doctor did not know how to treat the illness.
On 22 May, James's younger brother, the Duke of Kendal, died from convulsions. James was then moved to Richmond. His mother worried greatly about him because he was very sick. By June 1667, the royal family had lost hope that James would survive.
James's death on 20 June came as a shock to the country. Many people saw it as a bad sign for the future of the Stuart family. This was because the Duke of York had no other sons at that time. James lay in state at the Palace of Westminster before his funeral. He was buried in Westminster Abbey on 26 June 1667.
His tomb has a Latin message that says: "Here lies the Most Illustrious Prince James Duke of Cambridge, second-born son and heir of the Most Powerful Prince James Duke of York, who fell asleep in the Queen's Hall of Richmond on the twentieth day in his fourth year, AD 1667."
Aftermath
Samuel Pepys wrote that people were very worried about James's illness. They were disappointed when he died. The King did not order a formal period of mourning for James.
The titles of Duke of Cambridge and Baron of Dauntsey ended when James died. The title Duke of Cambridge has been used again several times since. The Baron of Dauntsey title was used only once more, for James's brother Edgar in 1667.
A portrait of James, painted by Willem Wissing, used to hang at Windsor Castle. This painting was ordered by his sister, Lady Mary. James's pension continued to be paid to his father. This money helped support his other children.
Honours
- KG (Knight of the Garter): 3 December 1666 (He was named a Knight, but never officially received the honour because he died young.)
Arms
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As a grandson of a British King, James had his own coat of arms. It was based on the royal coat of arms. It had a special white stripe with five black ermine spots to show his place in the royal family.
