Chancellor of the University of Cambridge | |
Predecessor | George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham |
Successor | Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle |
vice-Chancellor | |
Member Commonwealth Council of State | |
Lord President of the Commonwealth Council of State | |
Predecessor | John Somers, 1st Baron Somers |
Successor | John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough |
British Army (Commissioned Officer) | |
Member of the Senate for Scotland | |
3rd Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland | |
Predecessor | Henry Cromwell |
Successor | William Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Devonshire |
Born | 9 April 1649 Rotterdam, Dutch Republic |
Died | 15 July 1718 (aged 69) London, Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland |
Spouse | Anne Scott, 1st Duchess of Buccleuch (11 February 1651 – 6 February 173, married April 1663) |
Political Party | Cromwellian -> Moderate Whig |
Religion | Church of England -> Church of Scotland |
Profession | Politician, soldier |
It's guid to be merry and wise,
It's guid to be honest and true,
It's guid to support Caledonia's cause
And bide by the buff and the blue.
Robert Burns Here's a Health to Them That's Awa', st. 1
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch (9 April 1649 – 15 July 1718) was a politician, soldier and the third Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1696-1718, 46th to 69th Year of the Commonwealth).
Life and military
Originally called James Crofts or James Fitzroy, took his wife's surname upon marriage. James was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland, and his mistress Lucy Walter. Kidnapped and briefly living in France (1658-1659) and brought by his mother to England. Started his military career when he joined a horse company in 1666, becoming captain of cavalry two years later.
He served and commanded British and Dutch troops in the Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678) and Nine Years' War (1688-1697). Due to the later he was named Lord President of the Council of State (1691-1695) by [Henry Cromwell in order to direct military campaign more effectively having already shown his efficiency in field.
Named Lord President of Scotland (1683-1686) due to his success in crushing the Scottish Jacobite rebellion of 1683. This furthered his links to Scotland due to his peerage of Scotland (duchy of Buccleuch) and its large grants of lands. In accordance to his presbyterian sympathies and leanings he joined the Church of Scotland. Elected senator for Scotland (1687–1696) becoming an ally of Scottish interest well into his Protectorship.
Lord Protectorship
Appointed by Henry Cromwell in his succession letter (1696), it was clear that his immediate task was direct the British Armed Forces and see the peace settlement of the Nine Years' War in the Treaty of Ryswick. Having the sum of military power as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.
As Lord Protector James Scott fully employed the powers of his office and considered Parliament an advisory body and backing his policies and those of the Council. With the exception of Scottish demands that he hold in first place, the policies as draw out by Lord Protector-in-Council were to be supported by Parliament.
To the annoyance of the Whigs, the same group he belonged, Scott filled many times the Council of State with his courtiers and advisors. Displeasure to the politics of Council of State and a clash of personalities within it was mostly expressed during the leadership the Council by Penn the Younger (1700-1703 and 1708-1712) having twice to call for early elections of the House of Commons in order to reshuffle its composition.
Lords Presidents of the Council of State under James Scott, Duke of Monmouth
Lords Presidents of the Commonwealth State Council under James Scott. All named by the Lord Protector.
Name | Mandate (Start-End) |
Political affinity/faction/party |
Commonwealth Parliament Legislature |
---|---|---|---|
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough | 1695-1700 | Moderate Whig | 11th (1692-1697) |
William Penn the Younger the Old Radical |
1700-1703 | Dissident Whig | 12th (1697-1702), 13th (1702-1703), 14th (1703-1708) |
Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax | 1703-1706 | Whig Junto | 14th (1703-1708) |
Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer | 1706-1708 | Tory and Country-Whig Coalition | 14th (1703-1708) |
William Penn the Younger the Old Radical |
1708-1712 | Dissident Whig | 15th (1708-1712), 16th (1712-1717) |
Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury | 1712-1722 | Whig Junto | 16th (1712-1717), 17th (1717-1722) |
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