James II was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1685 until he was deposed in 1688. He was the last Catholic monarch to rule over England, and his reign was marked by conflicts with Parliament and fears of a return to Catholicism. His attempts to promote religious tolerance for Catholics led to widespread opposition. In 1688, James II was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution, which resulted in William of Orange and Mary II ascending to the throne. This event established a constitutional monarchy and reinforced the power of Parliament, significantly shaping the future of British governance.