Century Designs

Charles II had a liking to have many mistresses, this resulted in his many illegitimate children, and a lot of these received dukedoms which have survivors till today.

Soon two of the worst disasters struck England, first the plague of 1665 and then the greatest fire of London in the next year.

After these happenings, as Charles had no legitimate heir his Catholic brother James II succeeded him in 1685. Even James rule also proved to be a bad one for England by suspending anti Catholic Laws and arresting the Bishops and eventually his second wife gave him his successor.

Anne protestant daughter of James II got the throne in 1702. The best thing happening in that era was her childhood friend Sarah marrying John Churchill, a brilliant general who led the English army on to the French and capturing 600 miles across Europe. The battle of Blenheim in 1704 ended French dominance in Europe.

Churchill was paid handsomely for this by becoming the Duke of Marlborough and Blenheim Palace was also awarded to him. A few years later Anne and Sarah had a fight with each other diminishing their influence on stately affairs.

Many people were supposed to have the throne but all being Catholics were sidelined and the throne went to George I, a German who knew nothing about speaking in English –not even a word but was a Protestant. So started a rule of the House of Hanover, under which Britain gained peace with wealth in the next century. George was immediately challenged by James II’s son “James the Pretender, reaching Scotland and to claim England’s throne, but was pushed back and ran to exile in France.

About the author: This glimpse of British History is offered to you by Dave Young on behalf of Hire London Buses in the UK. To hire a London bus try +447961659814.