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In 1603, Queen Elizabeth I of England died. She had never married and had no heir, so
the throne passed to a distant relative: James Stuart, the son of Elizabeth's cousin and onetime rival for the throne, Mary, Queen of Scots. James was crowned King James I of England.
At the time, he was also King James VI of Scotland, and the combination of roles would
create a spirit of conflict that haunted the two nations for generations to come.
The conflict developed as a result of rising tensions among the people within the
nations, as well as between them. Scholars in the 21st century are far too hasty in dismissing
the role of religion in political disputes, but religion undoubtedly played a role in the
problems that faced England and Scotland. By the time of James Stuart's succession to the
English throne, the English people had firmly embraced the teachings of Protestant
theology. Similarly, the Scottish Lowlands was decisively Protestant. In the Scottish
Highlands, however, the clans retained their Catholic faith. James acknowledged the Church
of England and still sanctioned the largely Protestant translation of the Bible that still bears
his name.
James's son King Charles I proved himself to be less committed to the Protestant Church
of England. Charles married the Catholic Princess Henrietta Maria of France, and there were
suspicions among the English and the Lowland Scots that Charles was quietly a Catholic.
Charles's own political troubles extended beyond religion in this case, and he was beheaded
in 1649. Eventually, his son King Charles II would be crowned, and this Charles is believed
to have converted secretly to the Catholic Church. Charles II died without a legitimate heir,
and his brother James ascended to the throne as King James II.James was recognized to be a practicing Catholic, and his commitment to Catholicism
would prove to be his downfall. James's wife Mary Beatrice lost a number of children during
their infancy, and when she became pregnant again in 1687 the public became concerned. If
James had a son, that son would undoubtedly be raised a Catholic, and the English people
would not stand for this. Mary gave birth to a son, but the story quickly circulated that the
royal child had died and the child named James's heir was a foundling smuggled in. James,
his wife, and his infant son were forced to flee; and James's Protestant daughter Mary was
crowned the queen.
In spite of a strong resemblance to the king, the young James II was generally rejected
among the English and the Lowland Scots, who referred to him as “the Pretender.†But in
the Highlands the Catholic princeling was welcomed. He inspired a group known as
Jacobites, to reflect the Latin version of his name. His own son Charles, known affectionately
as Bonnie Prince Charlie, would eventually raise an army and attempt to recapture what he
believed to be his throne. The movement was soundly defeated at the Battle of Culloden in
1746, and England and Scotland have remained ostensibly Protestant ever since
What was the author's intent in the passage?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The author's primary intent in the passage is to inform the reader about historical events related to the succession of monarchs in England and Scotland. The passage presents factual information about the reigns of King James I, King Charles I, King Charles II, King James II, and the attempted recapture of the throne by Bonnie Prince Charlie. It details how religious differences and political conflicts shaped the history of England and Scotland. The other choices are incorrect because the author's focus is on providing historical facts rather than persuading, entertaining, or expressing personal feelings.