The New Student's Reference Work/James Stuart

James Stuart, called The Old Pretender, the son of James II and Mary of Modena, was born on June 10, 1688. His father had been driven from the throne by William of Orange, and died at St. Germain, France. Soon after his death a herald made his appearance before the palace-gate, and, with the sound of trumpets, proclaimed in Latin, French and English: “James III, king of England and Scotland.” The boy was received at the French court with all the honors which his father had received before him. In London a few nobles remained faithful to the memory of his father. These made haste to proclaim James III. But the opposition was too strong, and in all parts of the kingdom the people passed resolutions of fealty to William of Orange and of defiance to the king of France and his protégé, the young prince. His life was one of constant expectation and disappointment. At times the throne seemed just within reach, but as often slipped from his grasp. In 1719 he married Marie, granddaughter of John Sobieski, king of Poland, by whom he had a son known in history as Charles Edward, The Young Pretender. He died at Rome, Jan. 12, 1766. See J. H. Jesse: Memoirs of the Pretenders and Their Adherents.