Stuart period

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The Stuart period of British history lasted from 1603 to 1714, during the reign of the House of Stuart. The period is named after the ruling Stuart dynasty, which began with the accession of James VI of Scotland to the English throne as James I of England following the death of Elizabeth I.

Monarchs of the Stuart Period

The Stuart period includes the reigns of the following monarchs:

• James I (1603–1625)
• Charles I (1625–1649)
• Charles II (1660–1685)
• James II (1685–1688)
• Mary II (1689–1694) and William III (1689–1702)
• Anne (1702–1714)

Key Events

The Stuart period was marked by significant events, including:

• The Union of the Crowns in 1603, which united the crowns of England and Scotland under James I.
• The English Civil War (1642–1651), a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists.
• The Interregnum (1649–1660), a period of republican government following the execution of Charles I.
• The Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 with the return of Charles II.
• The Glorious Revolution of 1688, which resulted in the overthrow of James II and the ascension of William III and Mary II.
• The Act of Union 1707, which unified the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Cultural and Scientific Developments

The Stuart period saw significant cultural and scientific advancements, including:

• The flourishing of English Renaissance theatre, with playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson.
• The establishment of the Royal Society in 1660, promoting scientific research and discovery.
• The works of John Milton, including his epic poem Paradise Lost.
• The development of Baroque architecture and art in Britain.

Religious Changes

The Stuart period was also a time of religious turmoil and change:

• The rise of Puritanism and its influence on English society and politics.
• The continuation of the Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England.
• The Test Acts and other legislation aimed at restricting the rights of Catholics and Nonconformists.

Related Pages

• House of Stuart
• James VI and I
• Charles I of England
• English Civil War
• Interregnum (England)
• Restoration (England)
• Glorious Revolution
• Act of Union 1707
• Royal Society
• English Renaissance theatre
• John Milton