Portrait of James VII (1633-1701)

Portrait of nobleman, possibly James VII (of Scotland), half length, oval.

School of Kneller (1646-1723)

James VII was the son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria who brought him up as a Roman Catholic. As Duke of York he lived in Scotland and rebuilt Holyrood. Acceding to the throne in 1685 he redoubled the ill treatment of the Covenanters.

He was driven into exile in 1688 and a campaign to restore him, led by Graham of Claverhouse (Bonnie Dundee) initially successful at Killiecrankie was ended by defeats at the Battles of Dunkeld and Cromdale.

James married first, in 1659, Lady Anne Hyde, their two daughters becoming Queen Mary and Queen Anne, and second in 1673, Mary of Modena, their son being later known as "the Old Pretender".