Fine figures in toy soldier style produced by

The Red Box Toy Soldier Company


 

Phase 3a - The Coronation of James II

 

Charles' brother, on becoming James II, quickly set about reversing this process of reducing the army - he had been a professional soldier in Europe, he clearly understood the value of a standing army, and, more importantly, how it should be managed - there was however, one very large drawback

James was definitely a Catholic monarch (Charles was notionally protestant, though apparently tolerant of catholics), and many of the political element were wary of, or opposed to this





The illustrations above and below (sourced from the internet) shows part of an illustrated publication by Francis Sandford in 1687 as a sort of 'souvenir' for the coronation - by the time it was ready, James II was already losing favour rapidly because of his catholicism, and no-one really wanted to purchase it - Sandford lost a lot of money, and ended in debtor's prison



As a seasoned soldier, having fought on the Continent, he increased the embryonic standing army considerably, and tried to allay some of the fears in respect of the army being seen as a 'tool' of monarchy (especially a 'Catholic' monarchy) - he organised public musters of 'the army' showing that there was 'nothing to fear' from the army - but increasingly many of the officers of the regiments were Catholic and appointed by James, and most of the political establishment (non-catholic) most definitely failed to be re-assured

This discontent led to a number of anti - Catholic politicians banding together, and they opened negotations with the Statholder of the United Provinces (William) to relieve James of his rule, and bring his daughter Mary to England as queen - while the thought of getting the British troops for his wars in Europe was appealing, not being King was not, but that was quickly solved and the so-called 'Glorious Revolution' occurred in 1688


Two excellent books covering this period are

The Army Of James II, 1685-1688 - The Birth Of The British Army 

by Stephen Ede -Borrett

ISBN : 9781911512363

Fighting for Liberty

Argyll & Monmouth's Military Campaigns against the Government of King James, 1685

by Stephen M Carter

ISBN : 9781913118884


Both these books are published by Helion and Company



Based on these books, the links below lead to the military establishment at various times during the relatively short reign of James II, with a list of illustrations of many ofthe regiments during this time



Back to Phase 3 - The Army of James II


Phase 3b - The Military establishment 'inherited' by James II


Phase3c -The Military establishment raised by James II against rebellion 1685


Phase 3d - The Army Mustered on Hounslow Heath, June 1688


Phase 3e -The Military establishment raised by James II against William, 1688



Follow the arrow to to



Phase 1 - The First 'British Army'



Phase 2 - The Civil Wars, Commonwealth, Protectorate and Restoration



The Army, new modell'd



Phase 4 - The Williamite Army and the Army of Queen Anne