Charles II had many children by numerous mistresses but no legitimate heirs. On his death his brother, James II (r.1685 – 88), succeeded him as king. James was an openly practising Catholic, and his accession led to great hopes in Rome (and widespread fears in England) that he would restore Catholicism as the dominant faith in England. This portrait was etched in Rome in the year of James’s accession, and is dedicated to Philip Howard, previously Catherine of Braganza’s grand almoner, who was created a cardinal in 1675 and thereafter resided in Rome.