James II

James, Duke of York, brother of Charles II, commanded the French Army in Champagne and the Spanish Army in the Low Countries; he was offered the highest military command in Italy and the most senior naval post in Spain. As Lord High Admiral he led the English fleet into action in two great naval battles. 'A most glorious young Prince,' wrote one of his contemporaries.

Yet to many he is only the King who threw away all the great advantages passed on to him when his brother died, and fled ignominiously into exile.