Stuart period (England)

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Stuart Period
Coat of arms for House of Stuart.

1603–1714
Preceded by Tudor Period
Followed by Georgian Era

The Stuart period of English history usually refers to the period between 1603 and 1714. This coincides with the rule of the House of Stuart, whose first monarch was James I of England. The period ended with Queen Anne and the accession of George I from the House of Hanover. The Stuart period was plagued by internal and religious strife.

Contents

[edit] Significant events of the period

[edit] English civil war

The battle of Marston Moor, the English civil war. Painting by J. Baker
The battle of Marston Moor, the English civil war. Painting by J. Baker

The English Civil War(s) took place during the reign of Charles I, the second Stuart monarch. This ended in victory for the Parliamentarians and Charles was executed in 1649.

After this conflict the line of Stuart monarchs was temporarily displaced by the Commonwealth of England (1649 to 1660). This was ruled directly by Oliver Cromwell in the period 1653 to 1659. After Cromwell's death the Commonwealth fell apart and the Convention Parliament welcomed Charles II, son of Charles I to return from exile and become king. This event was known as the English Restoration.

[edit] Anglo Dutch Wars

Engraving showing the St. James Day Fight August 4th, 1666 between English and Dutch Ships
Engraving showing the St. James Day Fight August 4th, 1666 between English and Dutch Ships

The Anglo-Dutch Wars were a series of three wars which took place between the English and Dutch during the period 1652 to 1674. English defeats forced Charles II to sign for peace and led to Dutch domination of sea trading routes until 1713.[1]

[edit] Popish Plot

The Popish Plot (1678) was an alleged Catholic conspiracy concerning a (totally fictitious) manuscript which accused the Roman Catholic Church of approving an assassination of Charles II. The plot led to anti-Catholic hysteria in England and the executions of approximately 35 innocent persons.[2]

[edit] The 'Glorious' Revolution of 1688

This event took place during James II's reign.

The Glorious Revolution was a bloodless coup in England which resulted in William III of Orange becoming King alongside Queen Mary II. There was, however, opposition in Scotland which contributed to the Massacre of Glencoe. [3]

[edit] Timeline

1603-1625
Jacobean Era
1625-1642
Caroline Era
1642-1651
English Civil War
1651-1660
English Interregnum
1660
Restoration of Charles II
1688
Glorious revolution

[edit] Monarchs

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

The early Stuarts.

The late Stuarts.


King James I. King Charles I. King Charles II. King James II. Queen Mary II. Queen Anne.

[edit] See also

Tudors

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Dutch War."Encyclopædia Britannica from Encyclopædia Britannica 2006 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD .[Accessed May 1, 2008].
  2. ^ "Popish Plot."Encyclopædia Britannica from Encyclopædia Britannica 2006 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD .[Accessed May 1, 2008].
  3. ^ "Glorious Revolution."Encyclopædia Britannica from Encyclopædia Britannica 2006 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD .[Accessed May 1, 2008].