British Royalty. Born James Francis Edward Stuart, the only surviving son of James II, King of Great Britain and his second wife, Mary Beatrice d'Este at St. James Palace in London. Born after nine previous children died either at birth or shortly after and a tenth who died at age four, a rumor, likely started by Protestant partisans, was almost immediately spread that a living child had been smuggled into the birthing chamber in a warming pan after the royal child had been born dead. At birth he was created 1st Duke of Rothesay, styled as Earl of Chester and Prince James of Wales. He was also created 1st Duke of Cornwall. Fearing another Roman Catholic monarch, a Protestant cadre invited James II's Protestant daughter by his first marriage, Mary, to take the throne, supplanting both her father and half-brother. Her acceptance resulted in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. James was raised in exile in France where he became the focus for the separatists know as the Jacobites. Upon his father's death in 1701, he declared himself king and was recognized as the heir by several Roman Catholic monarchs, but was attained for treason by Act of Parliament in March 1702 in Britain and his titles were forfeited under British law. He attempted an invasion of Britain in March 1708, but his fleet was driven off. Another attempt was made in 1715 when he achieved landfall in Scotland. Following an indecisive battle at Sheriffmuir when he was disappointed by the lack of support he found, instead of attempting a planned coronation at Scone, he retreated to France. Finding no support there he accepted an offer from Pope Clement XI of the Palazzo Muti in Rome as a residence. In September 1719, he married Maria Sobieski and with her had two sons, Charles Edward and Henry. He presided over his Roman Jacobite court for the remainder of his life. He died at age 77 in Rome. He was also known as The Old Pretender.

British Royalty. Born James Francis Edward Stuart, the only surviving son of James II, King of Great Britain and his second wife, Mary Beatrice d'Este at St. James Palace in London. Born after nine previous children died either at birth or shortly after and a tenth who died at age four, a rumor, likely started by Protestant partisans, was almost immediately spread that a living child had been smuggled into the birthing chamber in a warming pan after the royal child had been born dead. At birth he was created 1st Duke of Rothesay, styled as Earl of Chester and Prince James of Wales. He was also created 1st Duke of Cornwall. Fearing another Roman Catholic monarch, a Protestant cadre invited James II's Protestant daughter by his first marriage, Mary, to take the throne, supplanting both her father and half-brother. Her acceptance resulted in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. James was raised in exile in France where he became the focus for the separatists know as the Jacobites. Upon his father's death in 1701, he declared himself king and was recognized as the heir by several Roman Catholic monarchs, but was attained for treason by Act of Parliament in March 1702 in Britain and his titles were forfeited under British law. He attempted an invasion of Britain in March 1708, but his fleet was driven off. Another attempt was made in 1715 when he achieved landfall in Scotland. Following an indecisive battle at Sheriffmuir when he was disappointed by the lack of support he found, instead of attempting a planned coronation at Scone, he retreated to France. Finding no support there he accepted an offer from Pope Clement XI of the Palazzo Muti in Rome as a residence. In September 1719, he married Maria Sobieski and with her had two sons, Charles Edward and Henry. He presided over his Roman Jacobite court for the remainder of his life. He died at age 77 in Rome. He was also known as The Old Pretender.

Bio by: Iola