Fine figures in toy soldier style produced by
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