James, sixth of Scotland and first of England, was the common progenitor of the two families whose contentions for the throne Of Great Britain form the subject of this work. He was succeeded, at his death in 162 5, by his eldest surviving son Charles. Charles I., after a reign of twenty-three years, the latter portion of which had been spent in war with a party of his subjects, perished on the scaffold in 1649. Charles IL, eldest son of Charles I., lived in exile for eleven years after the death of his father, during which time the govern ment was vested first in a Parliament, and afterwards in a Protectorate. He was at length placed upon the throne, May 1660. This event is known in British history by the title of 'the Restoration.' Charles died without legitimate issue in 1685, and was succeeded by his brother James, who had previously been entitled Duke of York.