Stuart period facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Stuart era

1603–1714
King Charles I and the soldiers of the English Civil War as illustrated in An Island Story: A Child's History of England (1906)
Preceded by	Elizabethan era
Including	Jacobean era Caroline era Interregnum Restoration
Followed by	Georgian era
Monarch	James I Charles I Charles II James II Mary II William III Anne
Leader(s)	Oliver Cromwell Richard Cromwell

The Stuart period was a time in British history from 1603 to 1714. It was when the House of Stuart family ruled. This era ended when Queen Anne died and King George I from Germany's House of Hanover became king.

This time was full of arguments about religion and power. There was a big English Civil War that led to King Charles I being executed in 1649. For a while, the Stuarts were not in charge. This period, called the Interregnum, was mostly led by Oliver Cromwell. After Cromwell, Charles II returned and became king in 1660. His brother, James II, was removed from power in 1689 during the Glorious Revolution. His Protestant daughter Mary II and her Dutch husband William III took over. Mary's sister Anne was the last Stuart ruler. For the next 50 years, James II and his family tried to get the throne back, but they failed.

Political History: Stuart Rulers and Power Struggles

King James I: 1603–1625

Jacobean era|James VI and I

Who Ruled England?

During this time, England was mainly ruled by the king and powerful noble families. In local areas, less important nobles and wealthy landowners, called the gentry, were in charge. These groups made up about 2% of families. They owned most of the good farmland and controlled local government.

The number of noble families grew from 60 to 160 between 1540 and 1640. They passed their titles down through their eldest son. They had special legal rights and held important positions in society, including seats in the House of Lords. In 1611, King James I created a new title, "baronet," to earn money. This title was below nobility and cost about £1100.

Three Kingdoms Under One King

Wars of the Three Kingdoms When Elizabeth I of England died, James VI, who was already king of Scotland, also became king of England. These were two separate kingdoms. He also became king of Ireland, where England was trying to regain control. After a war in Ireland (1594–1603), James's officials took real control of the island.

Most Irish people were Catholic. But James encouraged Protestants from Scotland to move to the Ulster region of Ireland. These settlers were known as Scots-Irish. Many of them later moved to the new American colonies during the Stuart period.

King Charles I: 1625–1649

Caroline era|Charles I of England As King James I grew older, his son Charles and his friend George Villiers (who became Duke of Buckingham) took on more power. By 1624, Buckingham was almost running England. In 1625, Charles became king. England was fighting in a European war and had growing religious problems.

Buckingham and Charles planned to ally with France against Spain. But their military actions in 1625 and 1627 were big failures. People blamed Buckingham for England's problems, not the king. When Parliament tried to remove Buckingham, the king simply stopped Parliament from meeting. Buckingham was killed in 1628 by an unhappy army officer.

Like his father, King Charles believed he had a God-given right to rule. He found it hard to work with Parliament. In 1629, the king closed Parliament and ruled by himself for eleven years.

Charles I's Personal Rule: 1629–1640

Charles I of England#Personal rule England's government was small. The king had no permanent army or many officials across the country. Local leaders usually enforced laws. The biggest challenge for King Charles ruling alone was finding money. The crown was deeply in debt.

Charles saved money by making peace with France (1629) and Spain (1630), avoiding the Thirty Years' War. He also found clever, but unpopular, ways to raise money without Parliament's approval. He sold special rights to businesses and fined landowners for using royal forests. He also brought back an old rule where wealthy men had to become knights or pay a fine. This raised money but made many landowners, like Oliver Cromwell, very angry.

The king went too far when he started collecting "ship money" from towns far from the coast, even though it was meant for naval defenses. This caused more protests, especially in cities. These new taxes made many people furious, but they did help balance the king's budget for a while.

The Long Parliament of 1640

Long Parliament Problems started in Scotland when the king tried to make them use a new prayer book, which threatened their religion. The Scots fought back and forced the king to pay them. Then, a big revolt in Ireland killed many Scots-Irish settlers. New taxes were needed to pay for military action.

So, a new Parliament had to be called. This "Long Parliament," elected in 1640, was just as difficult for Charles. It quickly started trying to remove the king's main advisors for treason. To stop the king from closing it whenever he wanted, Parliament passed the Triennial Act in 1641. This law said Parliament had to meet at least once every three years. Charles had to agree to this to get money for his army.

Civil War and Interregnum: 1642–1660

English Civil War|Commonwealth of England|Interregnum (1649–1660)

The First English Civil War (1642–1645) was won by the Parliamentarians, who were called "Roundheads" because of their short hair. The Royalists, who supported the king, were called "Cavaliers". The Second English Civil War happened in 1648–1649. Charles lost again, and he was executed in January 1649.

After the king's death, England became a republic called the Commonwealth (1649–1660). Oliver Cromwell ruled directly from 1653 until he died in 1658. After his death, his government fell apart. The Convention Parliament then invited Charles II, Charles I's son, to return from exile and become king.

The Civil War (1642–1651) involved many battles between Parliament's supporters and the Royalists. The first two wars were between King Charles I and Parliament. The third war (1649–1651) was between King Charles II and Parliament. The war ended when Parliament won the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

The war had three main results: King Charles I was put on trial and executed in 1649. His son, Charles II, went into exile in 1651. And the English monarchy was replaced first by the Commonwealth of England (1649–1653) and then by the Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell (1653–1658). When Cromwell died, his son Richard Cromwell could not rule. The army then ruled, which made many people unhappy. The Church of England became stronger, and other Protestant groups like the Puritans faced restrictions. The wars taught everyone that neither the king nor Parliament could rule alone; they both needed each other.

Oliver Cromwell's Rule

Oliver Cromwell|Commonwealth of England|The Protectorate

From 1649 to 1659, Oliver Cromwell was the most powerful person in England. He was a very successful general for Parliament. He worked hard to make sure people saw his rule and his wars in a good light. Even today, he is a famous but controversial figure in British history.

The Commonwealth: 1649–1653

After the king was executed, England became a republic called the Commonwealth. A Council of State was set up to manage the country, and Cromwell was a member. His real power came from the army. While Cromwell was away fighting from 1649 to 1651, different groups in Parliament started arguing.

When Cromwell returned, he tried to get Parliament to set dates for new elections and create a tolerant national church. But Parliament was slow to act. Frustrated, Cromwell eventually closed Parliament in 1653. He then called a new Parliament where all members were chosen by him. This was sometimes called the "Barebones Parliament." It failed to solve England's problems and was soon closed.

The Protectorate: 1653–1658

In December 1653, Cromwell was named Lord Protector, which gave him powers similar to a king. Cromwell's power came from his popularity with the army. During his rule, he divided England into military areas run by army generals who reported only to him. These generals tried to enforce strict moral rules. However, people in the provinces did not like them. Many in Parliament feared the generals would create a permanent military state. The generals' power lasted less than a year.

The First Anglo-Dutch War started in 1652 against the Netherlands. The English Royal Navy won this war in 1654.

Cromwell knew that Jewish bankers helped Holland's economy. So, he encouraged Jews to return to England after they had been banned for 350 years. He hoped they would help England's economy recover after the Civil Wars.

In 1657, Parliament offered Cromwell the crown. But he refused, even after thinking about it for a long time, because he had helped get rid of the monarchy. He ruled like a king in every way but name. He could choose his own successor, but his position was not passed down through his family.

Restoration and Charles II: 1660–1685

English Restoration|Charles II of England

Many people were unhappy without a king. So, in 1660, Charles II was invited back to be king. This event was called the Restoration. It brought back the monarchy and used lessons learned from the past.

One lesson was that both the king and Parliament were needed. Problems happened when the king ruled alone (1629–1640), when Parliament ruled without a king (1642–1653), or when there was a military ruler (1653–1660). Two main political ideas formed: the Tory view, which respected the king and the Church of England more, and the Whig view, which respected Parliament more. These ideas became the basis for political parties later on.

Another lesson was that the strict Puritans caused too much division. So, Puritans and other Protestants who did not follow the Church of England faced penalties. Catholics and Unitarians faced even stricter rules. The third lesson was that England needed protection from political violence. So, the king created a standing army, a professional force he controlled. This was a very controversial idea.

The Restoration in 1660 was a return to stability. There was little punishment for past actions. King Charles II ruled with fairness and worked hard. He gave important jobs to both his old friends and even some of his former enemies. Edward Hyde, who became Lord Chancellor, was very important. He managed many royal affairs.

The King and Parliament agreed on a general pardon, the Indemnity and Oblivion Act (1660). It pardoned everyone except about three dozen people who had signed the order to execute Charles I. The king was given a fixed yearly payment. Parliament banned old, unfair ways of raising money, like forced loans. Instead, they added a new tax on alcohol and collected customs duties, as foreign trade was growing. Parliament also closed down harsh special courts that Charles I had used.

Religious issues were hard to solve. Charles brought back bishops, but also tried to work with Presbyterians. Catholics were not allowed to practice their religion freely. In 1661, Royalists won a big election. New strict laws were put on Protestant groups who did not follow the Church of England. They could not hold regular church services or government jobs. For example, a 1665 law made it a crime for nonconformist church leaders to be within 5 miles of their old church.

The Puritans still controlled the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Connecticut Colony in America. Charles II tried to take away their charters and rule them more directly, but this was changed later by William III. Most smaller religious groups disappeared, except for the Quakers. The Congregationalists, Presbyterians, and Baptists remained and became part of the Whig party. The country gentry continued to support the Church of England and formed the basis of the Tory party.

Parliament was worried about Cromwell's New Model Army. It showed that a well-trained army was much better than local militia. Cromwell had used his army to gain full control, so it was seen as a threat to people's freedom. Cromwell's army was disbanded, and all soldiers were paid. However, England still needed protection from countries like France and Spain, who had large armies. So, the king and Parliament agreed to build a strong Royal Navy. But Parliament watched the king closely as he tried to build a small standing army.

After the Puritans lost power, the royal court became more focused on fun and pleasure.

England's First Standing Army

History of the British Army#Origins Before Cromwell, England did not have a permanent army with professional soldiers. It relied on local militia or hired soldiers from Europe. Cromwell changed this with his New Model Army of 50,000 men. This army was very effective and helped him control all of England.

When the monarchy was restored, Parliament paid off Cromwell's army and disbanded it. For many years, people feared a standing army because of Cromwell's rule. However, King Charles II managed to create four regiments of soldiers, calling them his guards. This was the start of the permanent British Army. By 1685, it had grown to 7,500 soldiers. By 1694, under William III, it grew to 94,000 soldiers. Parliament was worried and reduced the army size later.

The Glorious Revolution: 1688–1689

Glorious Revolution The overthrow of King James II of England in 1688 is seen as a major turning point in British history. It made Parliament more powerful than the King and guaranteed legal rights to everyone. Historians argue this was a modern revolution. It was violent and involved many people. It was a strong rejection of James II.

People could no longer tolerate James. He was too close to the French king, too Catholic, and they did not trust his efforts to make the state more powerful. Instead, they got William of Orange's vision. This vision included agreement among leaders, religious tolerance for all Protestants, open debate in Parliament, and strong support for trade. This revolution brought big changes to religion, the economy, foreign policy, and the nature of the English state.

William and Mary: 1688–1702

William III of England|Mary II of England During the joint rule of William and Mary, William made decisions when he was in Britain. Mary was in charge when he was away and also handled church matters. William supported important laws that protected people's freedoms. The Toleration Act 1689 gave religious freedom to Protestant nonconformists. However, it did not extend to Roman Catholics or non-Christians.

In December 1689, the Bill of Rights 1689 was passed. This was a very important document in English history. It confirmed earlier rights and limited the king's power. It said the king could not stop laws passed by Parliament, collect taxes without Parliament's approval, or have a permanent army during peacetime without Parliament's consent. It also protected the right to petition and the right to bear arms for Protestants. William did not like these limits, but he agreed to them to avoid conflict with Parliament.

Foreign Policy: Wars with France

Nine Years' War|William III of England

The main reason English leaders asked William to invade England in 1688 was to remove King James II. They wanted to stop James from bringing back Catholicism and tolerating Puritanism. But William's main reason for coming was to gain a strong ally in his war against the powerful French King Louis XIV of France. William wanted to create alliances to stop France from expanding and to protect the Netherlands.

The English leaders strongly disliked France and supported William's goals. William was Louis XIV's biggest enemy. In May 1689, William, now king of England, declared war on France with Parliament's support. England and France were at war almost constantly until 1713. The English and Dutch navies were strong, but France was stronger on land. William wanted to balance this by allying with the Holy Roman Emperor.

The wars were very expensive. Parliament voted funds for William's wars and to support smaller allies. The Bank of England was created in 1694. It helped finance wars by making it easier for bankers to lend money. In the Nine Years' War (1688–97), William's main plan was to form a military alliance against France. Louis XIV tried to weaken this by supporting people who claimed to be the rightful English king. William focused most of his attention on foreign policy and wars, spending a lot of time in the Netherlands. The wars were costly but did not have a clear winner. William died just as the next war, the War of the Spanish Succession (1702–1714), was starting. Queen Anne finished this war.

William III's Legacy

Historians generally see William III as a very good king. He is called the "Deliverer of England" from the unfair rule of the Stuarts. He improved the government system, making it strong enough for the next century. The British Army, which later won famous battles, was largely his creation. He also made the justice system more independent.

His government was very expensive. Annual spending under William III was four times higher than under James II. These new taxes, though unpopular, helped England become a great power. They also helped the country's economy grow.

Queen Anne: 1702–1714

Anne, Queen of Great Britain

Anne became queen in 1702 at age 37. For almost her entire reign, the main issue was the War of the Spanish Succession. Britain played a big role in this European war against Louis XIV of France. Until 1710, Parliament was controlled by a group called the "Whig Junto." Anne did not like them. She relied on her friends Duke of Marlborough and chief minister Lord Godolphin. She made Marlborough the head of the army. His early victories were good for Britain, but the war became a long, expensive stalemate.

The opposing Tories had always been against the war. They won a big election in 1710. Anne then removed Marlborough and Godolphin and turned to Robert Harley. Anne had many pregnancies but only one child survived, and he died at age 11. So, her death ended the Stuart family's rule. Anne was a patron of theatre, poetry, and music. She supported George Frideric Handel and started the practice of giving gold medals for great achievements.

Union with Scotland in 1707

Scotland and England were separate countries, but they had shared the same ruler since 1603. Queen Anne wanted to unite them. She worked to bring them together in the Acts of Union 1707. Most people in Scotland were against it, but powerful Scottish leaders supported it, especially after England offered good financial terms and payments.

The Parliament of Scotland agreed and closed down. The new Parliament of Great Britain was basically the old English Parliament with 45 Scots elected to the House of Commons and 16 Scottish nobles in the House of Lords. Scotland was smaller and less wealthy. Its attempt to set up a colony in Darien had failed badly. The Acts of Union helped pay back Scottish investors who lost money in Darien.

Scotland kept its own Presbyterian church, its own legal and education systems, and its own nobility. Scots now paid English taxes, but at lower rates, and had a say in British affairs. The long-term economic benefits took time to appear. The risk of war between the two countries was greatly reduced. Ambitious Scots now had chances to work in the growing British colonies and in England's industries and financial centers. Scotland gained "freedom of trade with England and the colonies."

Social and Economic History

Population Changes

England's population grew steadily from 1600 to about 1660. Then it dropped slightly and stayed about the same between 1649 and 1714. In 1603, there were about 4.2 million people. By 1714, there were about 5.3 million.

By 1714, the Greater London area had about 674,000 people. This was about one in nine of England's population. The next biggest cities were Norwich and Bristol, each with about 30,000 people. In 1500, about 90% of people lived in the countryside. By 1750, this was 80% of a much larger population.

Witchcraft and Beliefs

People in the Stuart era often believed in magic and witchcraft in their daily lives. The hunting of witches began in England in 1563, and hundreds were executed. However, England had fewer witch trials than other parts of Europe. While England had over 5% of Europe's population in 1600, it only executed 1% of the 40,000 witches killed in Europe between 1400 and 1800.

The government made witchcraft a crime punishable by death in 1563. King James VI and I made stopping witchcraft a high priority in both Scotland and England (in 1604). Judges increased their investigations of accused witches. Historians believe that witchcraft accusations often happened when communities faced problems or new ideas. Older women were often targeted because they were seen as outsiders.

As people became more modern in their thinking, fears of witchcraft slowly decreased. After 1660, Puritans, who were often keen on finding witches, lost their power in the courts. In 1712, Jane Wenham was the last woman found guilty of witchcraft in England. In 1735, Parliament passed the Witchcraft Act 1735, which made it a crime to accuse someone of witchcraft. The laws against witchcraft were not fully removed until 1951. Scotland had many more witch trials than England.

Education and Literacy

There was no free schooling for most children. However, in towns and cities, small private schools opened for middle-class boys, and a few for girls. Rich and noble families hired private teachers. Private schools for upper-class young men and universities in Scotland and England also existed. The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge trained Anglican ministers.

Historians have studied old documents to see how many people could sign their names. Before 1500, very few people could read or write. But literacy rates grew steadily over the next three centuries. Men were twice as likely to be able to read as women. In 1500, only 1% of women could read. By 1710, about 25% of women could read (compared to 50% of men). Two main reasons for this were the Protestant religion, which encouraged reading the Bible, and changes in society and the economy. For example, towns grew quickly, offering jobs in shops where reading was helpful.

Popular Culture: Fun and Social Life

When the Puritans lost power, strict social rules relaxed. Theatres reopened and became very popular in London, especially with royalty. Historians say that plays from this time, called Restoration comedy, often made fun of old rules about gambling, drinking, and love. They were meant to shock people who were more traditional.

The first coffee houses appeared in the mid-1650s and quickly spread to cities and towns. They became places for middle-class men to meet and be polite. Central London had about 600 by 1708. For a penny, customers could stay as long as they wanted. They could buy coffee, tea, chocolate, and snacks. They could also read newspapers and magazines. Widows often ran these coffee houses. They were quiet places for conversation, free from noise and fighting. Working-class people usually went to pubs.

Many business people used coffee houses to work and meet clients. Each coffee house often had a different type of customer, like doctors, merchants, or lawyers. They were some of England's first places where men from different backgrounds could easily talk to each other. Lloyd's Coffee House opened in 1686 and focused on shipping news for merchants and insurers. It later became the famous insurance company Lloyd's of London. By the 1790s, private clubs became more popular, and many penny coffee houses closed.

High Culture: Science and Travel

In science, the Royal Society was formed in 1660. It supported new discoveries by scientists like Isaac Newton, Robert Boyle, and Robert Hooke. Important scientific breakthroughs were made, such as laws of gravity and motion, Boyle's law, and microscopy.

People also became more interested in political news and discussions. Both educated people and ordinary citizens read and talked about political events, often with a critical view.

The custom of the Grand Tour, where upper-class Englishmen traveled to Italy, became popular later in the 18th century. But it started in the 17th century. Early examples include Thomas Howard's trip to Italy in 1613. The book Coryat's Crudities (1611) also influenced this trend. The term "Grand Tour" was first mentioned in a 17th-century book called The Voyage of Italy. The Grand Tour grew significantly after 1630.

Architecture and Rebuilding London

In the countryside, many architects built grand country houses for nobles and wealthy gentry. Inigo Jones, a famous Stuart-era architect, built the beautiful Banqueting House in London in 1622. Many architects also designed detailed rooms, staircases, and furniture for these houses.

The Great Fire of London in 1666 made it necessary to rebuild many important buildings. A law was passed that required new buildings to be made of brick or stone, with strong walls and wider streets. Sir Christopher Wren was in charge of rebuilding the damaged churches. He designed over 50 City churches. His greatest work was St Paul's Cathedral.

Local Life and Transport

Historians used to think that English villages were very isolated. But new research shows that each village was connected to a network of other villages and towns through roads and waterways. People could move between villages in these networks without feeling like strangers. These networks included market towns and small cities.

Roads existed, and some were improved with turnpikes (toll roads). However, the main way to transport goods, especially wool and cloth, was by water because it was much cheaper than land transport. Many efforts were made to improve rivers by removing obstacles. Later, canals were built, further lowering costs. After 1840, railroads connected places even more, changing local life greatly.

World Trade and Economy

The 18th century was a time of growth as businesses expanded worldwide. By the 1720s, Britain was one of the richest countries. Daniel Defoe proudly said that Britain was the "most diligent nation in the world," with "vast trade, rich manufactures, mighty wealth."

As an island nation, Britain focused on building a global trading network. This needed a very strong Royal Navy to protect its ships and prevent invasions. Wool was the most important product. England produced enough wool for its own needs, and raw wool and wool cloth made up 75–90% of its exports. Trade was strong with France, the Netherlands, and the Baltic region.

The Hanseatic League of German trading cities once controlled 40% of English trade, but this declined after 1500. English colonies in the West Indies provided sugar, much of which was sent to Europe. The 13 American colonies provided land for settlers, wood for the navy, food for West Indies slaves, and tobacco. Britain also became dominant in trade with India and in the profitable slave, sugar, and trade routes from West Africa and the West Indies. Exports grew from £2.5 million in 1669 to £14.7 million in 1760.

The government supported private businesses by creating many London-based companies. These companies were given monopolies (exclusive rights) to trade in specific regions around the world. The first was the Muscovy Company (1555) for trade with Russia. Other important ones included the East India Company (1599) and the Hudson's Bay Company (1670) in Canada. The Royal African Company (1672) focused on the slave trade. Other countries also had similar monopolies, but only the Netherlands focused on trade as much as England.

The Wool Trade

Woolen cloth was England's main export and the biggest employer after farming. In the medieval period, England exported raw wool. But now, it had an industry based on its 11 million sheep. London and other towns bought wool from dealers and sent it to rural homes. Families would clean, prepare, and spin the wool into thread, then weave it into cloth. Merchants then exported these woolens to the Netherlands and Germany. New skills brought by French Protestants (Huguenots) helped the industry grow.

However, government actions caused problems in the early 17th century. A new company convinced Parliament to ban the export of unfinished cloth, arguing that finished cloth was more profitable. This caused big problems in the market. Large amounts of unsold cloth piled up, prices fell, and unemployment rose. The Dutch also stopped importing any finished cloth from England. Exports dropped by a third. The ban was quickly lifted, but the trade losses became permanent.

Foreign Policy: England's Place in the World

Stuart England was mostly focused on problems at home. King James I (1603–1625) truly wanted peace for his kingdoms and for all of Europe. He disliked both Puritans and Jesuits because they were eager for war. He called himself "Rex Pacificus" ("King of peace"). At the time, Europe was divided and close to the huge Thirty Years' War (1618–1648).

When James became king, he made peace with Catholic Spain. He planned to marry his son to the Spanish princess Maria Anna. His daughter, Princess Elizabeth, married a German Protestant prince in 1613. James hoped this would give him influence with both Catholics and Protestants, allowing him to arrange peaceful agreements. But both sides were using him for their own goals.

In the 1620s, Lord Buckingham wanted an alliance with Spain. He took Charles to Spain to meet the princess in 1623. But Spain demanded that Britain stop its anti-Catholic rules for the marriage to happen. Buckingham and Charles felt humiliated. Buckingham then led the call for war against Spain. Meanwhile, Protestant princes in Europe looked to Britain for military help. James's son-in-law became king of Bohemia, which angered the Holy Roman Emperor. The Thirty Years' War began, and the Emperor removed the new king of Bohemia. James realized his plans had failed and refused to get involved in the war. He successfully kept Britain out of the devastating war for three decades.

James's backup plan was to marry his son Charles to a French Catholic princess. Parliament and the British people strongly opposed any Catholic marriage and wanted war with Spain to support the Protestant cause. James had upset both leaders and the public, and Parliament was cutting his money. Historians praise James for avoiding a major war at the last minute and keeping Britain at peace.

Frederick's election as King of Bohemia in 1619 made the Thirty Years' War worse. This war killed millions in central Europe but barely affected Britain. King James's decision to avoid this conflict, even when people wanted war in 1623, was one of the most important and positive parts of his reign.

From 1600 to 1650, the kings tried many times to set up colonies in Guiana in South America. All these attempts failed, and the lands were given to the Dutch Republic in 1667.

Anglo-Dutch Wars

The Anglo-Dutch Wars were three wars between England and the Dutch from 1652 to 1674. They were caused by political disagreements and competition over trade. Religion was not a reason, as both sides were Protestant. In the First Anglo-Dutch War (1652–54), the British navy had an advantage with bigger, more powerful "ships of the line." The British also captured many Dutch merchant ships.

In the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665–67), the Dutch won naval battles. This war cost London ten times more than expected, and King Charles II asked for peace in 1667 with the Treaty of Breda. This ended the fights over "mercantilism" (using force to protect and expand national trade). Meanwhile, the French were building navies that threatened both the Netherlands and Britain.

In the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672–74), the British allied with France. But the Dutch, though outnumbered, outsmarted both navies. King Charles II ran out of money and political support. The Dutch controlled sea trade routes until 1713. The British gained the thriving colony of New Netherland, which was renamed Province of New York.

Timeline

The Stuart period began in 1603 when Queen Elizabeth I died and King James I became king. There was a break in the middle, but the Stuarts returned to the throne in 1660. The period ended in 1714 (after 111 years) with the death of Queen Anne and the start of King George I's rule, the first king from the House of Hanover. The yellow bars show Stuart rule.

Monarchs

The House of Stuart had six monarchs who ruled during this period.

• 

  James I
  (1603–1625)

• 

  Charles I
  (1625–1649)

• 

  Charles II
  (1660–1685)

• 

  James II
  (1685–1688)

• 

  William III
  (1689–1702)

• 

  Mary II
  (1689–1694)

• 

  Anne
  (1702–1714)

Historical Gallery