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King James II throwing Great Seal into the River Thames
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King James II throwing Great Seal into the River Thames
King James II throwing Great Seal of England into the River Thames near Whitehall. The Seal was used for stamping the kings assent on all important documents. His successors, William and Mary, simply had a new one made. Date: 1688
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Media ID 23265720
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1680s Escape Escaping Flee Fleeing Rowing Seal Stuart Succession Throwing Whitehall Assent
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this striking image from the 17th century, King James II of England, dressed in a red robe and white collar, stands on the deck of a small boat as his men row vigorously towards the shore. The king clutches the Great Seal of England in his hand, his expression determined as he prepares to throw it into the River Thames. The Great Seal was an essential symbol of royal authority, used to stamp the monarch's seal of approval on all important documents. This dramatic scene took place in 1688, during a pivotal moment in English history. King James II, a Catholic monarch, had faced increasing opposition from Protestant forces who feared the spread of Catholicism in England. In an attempt to quell the unrest, James had issued the Declaration of Indulgence, granting religious freedoms to Catholics and dissenters. This move only fueled further protests and calls for his removal from the throne. In response, a group of Protestant lords invited William of Orange, a Dutch prince, to invade England and claim the crown. With the situation growing increasingly volatile, James and his family attempted to flee to France. As they made their escape, they were intercepted by a group of soldiers loyal to William of Orange. Faced with the prospect of capture, James threw the Great Seal into the River Thames, symbolically renouncing his authority and signaling the end of his reign. The successful invasion of England by William and Mary marked the beginning of a new era in English history. The image of King James II throwing the Great Seal into the River Thames remains a powerful reminder of the political upheavals and shifting alliances that characterized the late 17th century in Britain.
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