William III adopts James the Old Pretender as his heir

So, @Emperor Constantine has mentioned before that during his reign, William III had at different times offered to adopt James Francis Edward Stuart, otherwise known as the old pretender, as his heir. The first time he did this, he said it was conditional on James becoming Protestant, the second time, he dropped that demand. However, both times it was rejected, and history went as it did.

What I'm wondering is, what would have happened had the first offer been accepted? James is adopted by William, named as heir and converts to Anglicanism. How does this affect things within Britain, as it pertains to things with Anne and the wider political situation?
 
IMO depending on the policy of the Stuart monarchy there might still be rebellions at some point. The Highlander's way of life was simply too archaic an apparatus for a modern state to coalesce in its presence, so either the Stewarts will accept never really controlling the Highlands or will have to crush the clans. In the latter case, expect rebellions similar in form if not in cause to the '15 and '45.
 
In the incredibly unlikely event that James "III" guardians (he was 14 when William died) allowed him to convert you would see Parliament attempt to bind him tighter than Anne was in OTL, essentially you'd see 1714 settlement bought 12 years forward.
 
IMO depending on the policy of the Stuart monarchy there might still be rebellions at some point. The Highlander's way of life was simply too archaic an apparatus for a modern state to coalesce in its presence, so either the Stewarts will accept never really controlling the Highlands or will have to crush the clans. In the latter case, expect rebellions similar in form if not in cause to the '15 and '45.
Interesting and perhaps possible clearances?

In the incredibly unlikely event that James "III" guardians (he was 14 when William died) allowed him to convert you would see Parliament attempt to bind him tighter than Anne was in OTL, essentially you'd see 1714 settlement bought 12 years forward.

Tbf James would be nine if he comes over in 1697, so he’s perhaps have converted then and there.
 
Clearances are inevitable as soon as sheep are a more reliable way of earning income for the Chief than overfilled glens.



Which is why his Father, who is still alive won't let him.

Assuming his guardians are the same in England as they were in France.
 
Assuming his guardians are the same in England as they were in France.

It's nothing to do with his Guardians. While James II is alive James Edward is staying in France with him. After James II dies the War of the Spanish Succession has started so the Pretender isn't going to England and his Guardians won't let him convert in France. The timings just don't work.
 
It's nothing to do with his Guardians. While James II is alive James Edward is staying in France with him. After James II dies the War of the Spanish Succession has started so the Pretender isn't going to England and his Guardians won't let him convert in France. The timings just don't work.

And if both James II and his wife are dead by 1697?
 
And if both James II and his wife are dead by 1697?

Well Mary of Modena was the second biggest OTL obstacle so getting rid of her helps. It depends how the power struggle at St. Germain plays out but the court there was heavily stacked with Catholic ultras who are not going to be terribly keen on the idea. But getting rid of James and Mary takes it from ASB to very unlikely.
 
Well Mary of Modena was the second biggest OTL obstacle so getting rid of her helps. It depends how the power struggle at St. Germain plays out but the court there was heavily stacked with Catholic ultras who are not going to be terribly keen on the idea. But getting rid of James and Mary takes it from ASB to very unlikely.

Alrighty interesting, and I do think Louis XIV would see it as in his interest to allow it, it does get rid of a pain, and also perhaps allows for a potentially friendly face in London
 
Tbf James would be nine if he comes over in 1697, so he’s perhaps have converted then and there.

AIUI, it was more a King Stephen-Henry II scenario. William would remain king for his lifetime, but James III would succeed him when he died.

Well Mary of Modena was the second biggest OTL obstacle so getting rid of her helps. It depends how the power struggle at St. Germain plays out but the court there was heavily stacked with Catholic ultras who are not going to be terribly keen on the idea. But getting rid of James and Mary takes it from ASB to very unlikely.

I'm not so sure why you're calling her an obstacle. She's Catholic sure, and the mere mention of her was enough that it got the average Englishman foaming at the mouth, but IIRC, Anne had reasonably good relations with her stepmother after 1701 (Maria even wrote to Anne assuring her that she wouldn't allow James to try anything during her "regency"), not to mention, Maria's Catholicism was never of the same unbending kind as James II's. Most likely, William makes a deal that James III is to succeed him, with the proviso that Maria (maybe Louisa Maria too à la Henriette Anne) stays in France or is only allowed to London on a limited basis.
 
AIUI, it was more a King Stephen-Henry II scenario. William would remain king for his lifetime, but James III would succeed him when he died.



I'm not so sure why you're calling her an obstacle. She's Catholic sure, and the mere mention of her was enough that it got the average Englishman foaming at the mouth, but IIRC, Anne had reasonably good relations with her stepmother after 1701 (Maria even wrote to Anne assuring her that she wouldn't allow James to try anything during her "regency"), not to mention, Maria's Catholicism was never of the same unbending kind as James II's. Most likely, William makes a deal that James III is to succeed him, with the proviso that Maria (maybe Louisa Maria too à la Henriette Anne) stays in France or is only allowed to London on a limited basis.
Interesting would James come to England to be raised then? Or remain in France?
 
I'm not so sure why you're calling her an obstacle. She's Catholic sure, and the mere mention of her was enough that it got the average Englishman foaming at the mouth, but IIRC, Anne had reasonably good relations with her stepmother after 1701 (Maria even wrote to Anne assuring her that she wouldn't allow James to try anything during her "regency"), not to mention, Maria's Catholicism was never of the same unbending kind as James II's. Most likely, William makes a deal that James III is to succeed him, with the proviso that Maria (maybe Louisa Maria too à la Henriette Anne) stays in France or is only allowed to London on a limited basis.

She was more sane and much more willing to compromise but she wouldn't be ok with him converting.

Interesting would James come to England to be raised then? Or remain in France?

For it to be acceptable for Parliament he would have to be raised in England by English Anglicans who were on the right side of the Glorious Revolution with no Catholics within a dozen miles. Which isn't exactly appealing to any one in St. Germain.
 
She was more sane and much more willing to compromise but she wouldn't be ok with him converting.



For it to be acceptable for Parliament he would have to be raised in England by English Anglicans who were on the right side of the Glorious Revolution with no Catholics within a dozen miles. Which isn't exactly appealing to any one in St. Germain.

This is true, though if they want him on the throne I'm sure they'd realise this is perhaps their best shot at getting him back on what is rightfully his. Perhaps Bolingbroke could play a role in raising him?
 
This is true, though if they want him on the throne I'm sure they'd realise this is perhaps their best shot at getting him back on what is rightfully his. Perhaps Bolingbroke could play a role in raising him?

Bolingbroke isn't a big deal until James Edward is too old and while it seems to us with our hindsight that this is one of the better routes to a Jacobite Restoration they don't have the advantage of hindsight. From their perspective in the aftermath of the Restoration of 1660 they were one death away from a Restoration on their terms or even one French naval victory away from a successful invasion. Parliament in England doesn't need to and won't compromise and the Jacobites can't stomach Parliament's terms.
 
Bolingbroke isn't a big deal until James Edward is too old and while it seems to us with our hindsight that this is one of the better routes to a Jacobite Restoration they don't have the advantage of hindsight. From their perspective in the aftermath of the Restoration of 1660 they were one death away from a Restoration on their terms or even one French naval victory away from a successful invasion. Parliament in England doesn't need to and won't compromise and the Jacobites can't stomach Parliament's terms.

Hmm this is true, though could Louis XIV force them to?
 
She was more sane and much more willing to compromise but she wouldn't be ok with him converting.

Never said she would. Maria Beatrice stated that she wouldn't risk him a heavenly crown in exchange for an earthly one. However, if it's William's second offer (the one minus the conversion), she might be willing to consider it.
 
Interesting would James come to England to be raised then? Or remain in France?

It would depend on the terms of acceptance. No way James Snr is accepting the terms dished out without making some counters. He doesn't have a leg to stand on - technically - but I imagine that this might be as much an agreement between William and Louis as an agreement between William, Sophia of the Palatinate and underage James III (since I imagine that it will be up to Louis to persuade Jimmy II)
 
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