Charles II dies in 1685 after converting to Roman Catholicism on his deathbed.

Having no legitimate children, he is succeeded by his brother James, who, crowned at Westminster Abbey on April 23, 1685, reigns in England and Ireland as James II, and in Scotland as James VII.

There is no initial opposition to James's succession; the new Parliament that assembled in May is initially favorable to James, and the new King sends word that even most of the former exclusionists would be forgiven if they acquiesce in his rule.

Most of Charles's officers are continued in office, the exception being the promotion of James's brothers-in-law, the Earls of Clarendon and Rochester, and the demotion of Halifax.

Parliament grants James a generous life income, including all of the proceeds of tonnage and poundage and the customs duties.

Soon after becoming king, however, James faces a rebellion in southern England, led by his nephew, the Duke of Monmouth, and another rebellion in Scotland, led by Archibald Campbell, Duke of Argyll.

Argyll's rebellion is coordinated with Monmouth's, but the latter is more dangerous to James.

Charles Montagu, a Whig elected to the House of Commons in 1689, had argued in favor of a law to grant the assistance of counsel in trials for high treason.

He became flustered in the middle of his speech, and upon recovering himself, observed "how reasonable it was to allow counsel to men called as criminals before a court of justice, when it appeared how much the presence of that assembly could disconcert one of their own body."

He has risen quickly, becoming one of the Commissioners of the Treasury and a member of the Privy Council.

England has incurred great expense in the War of the Grand Alliance.

Montagu finances British participation in the war by devising a system of guaranteed government loans and initiating the national debt.

A piece of 1692 legislation pledges the receipts from beer and liquor taxes as security for a loan of one million pounds.