Storia d'Inghilterra, vol 2

This volume offers a vivid, day‑by‑day account of England at the height of James II’s power in the autumn of 1685. It follows the king’s ambitious foreign agenda, his push for internal reforms such as the Habeas Corpus Act, and his attempts to reshape the army and the courts to cement royal authority. Through careful narrative, listeners glimpse the intricate balance between monarchical ambition and the emerging parliamentary voice.

The narrative then turns to the religious turbulence that defined James’s reign: his overt support for Roman Catholicism, the persecution of French Huguenot refugees, and the fierce backlash from Protestant factions and the Whig opposition. Episodes of unrest ripple across Scotland, Ireland, and the colonies, highlighting the clash of loyalties and the growing sense of national unease. By the end of this act, the stage is set for a dramatic confrontation that will shape the future of the British Isles.