On this day Mary of Modena, an Italian princess and the wife of King James II escaped from England to France with her son, James Francis Edward Stuart, after prominent Protestants, fearful of a continuing Catholic dynasty, had invited James II’s Protestant nephew and son-in-law, William of Orange, to invade England. In what was later to be known as “The Glorious Revolution”, King James II was overthrown by William who later allowed him to escape to France. William and Mary (James II’s daughter by his first marriage) were jointly crowned in Westminster Abbey on 11th April 1689.
It’s interesting to know that her mother, Laura Martinozzi, was one of the so-called Mazarinettes, that is one of the nieces of Cardinal Mazzarino.
I must confess, Claudio, that I haven’t followed up the family history of Mary of Modena, but I find all these noble/clerical entanglements really fascinating!