Phase 3 - The Army 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

In respect of the army, (and in response to the urgent threat from Monmouth and Argyll in respect to his monarchy as a Catholic), he quickly set about returning regiments in foreign service, re-raising some earlier regiments, raising new regiments, and arranging training for them

He had competent officers in charge and arranged public 'training camps', so that a consistency of drill and manoeuvre were to be instilled in his troops - he also hoped that these events might calm fears of a standing army taking over the country (again)

(It is worth noting here that in respect of the military, some people regard Charles II as the instigator of the standing army, but James II was the driving force in establishing its place in British military history)

James II accomplished much in his short reign (just three years), including putting down the early rebellion of one of his senior officers, the Duke of Monmouth, (his nephew) and the Duke of Argyll, who jointly raised an anti-catholic rebellion against him in 1685

Monmouth himself was a seasoned soldier and had served on the continent at the same time as James II - ironically both armies during the uprising would have used the same manual of military tactics, it having been modified from an earlier manual by Monmouth himself

Additionally, this manual was re-published in 1690, and so was still in use during the early Williamite period, though as the army fought on the continent, its tactics and strategic management changed as it fought alongside continental regulars

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

Phase 3a - The Coronation 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