Text from "The Chaotic Scot" with McCurley ancestors noted:

The Stuarts

The Stuart Monarchy ruled Scotland from 1371 for over three-hundred years, and their reign had no shortage of drama. Mary Queen of Scots became the first and only Stuart queen just days after she was born in 1542, following the death of her father James V of Scotland. Mary led a colourful and controversial life, which came to an end when she was beheaded for (alleged) treason in 1586.

After the death of Queen Elizabeth I of England in 1603, James VI of Scotland also became James I of England; Elizabeth having never married nor had children, therefore leaving no direct heir to the throne. This event is known as the Union of the Crowns, where the two independent countries of Scotland and England were then ruled by one monarch.

Fast forward to the reign of King James VII of Scotland and II of England. Despite the Protestant Reformation having swept across Western Europe in the 15^thcentury, James was a Roman Catholic. This made him very unpopular with Protestant nobles, who feared that the Stuarts would reestablish the Catholic faith in Britain. As such, James was overthrown by his protestant daughter’s husband, William of Orange.

James, who was the last King of Scotland, went to live in exile in France. There were many supporters of the new Dutch King William – mainly in England and the Scottish Lowlands – however, James had a following of his own.