The House of Stuart was a royal dynasty that ruled Scotland and England from the late 14th century until the early 18th century. It began with Robert II of Scotland and included notable monarchs such as Mary, Queen of Scots and James I of England. The dynasty is known for its complex history, including the unification of the Scottish and English crowns. The Stuart line faced significant challenges, including civil wars and political conflicts. The English Civil War led to the temporary overthrow of the monarchy, and the Glorious Revolution of 1688 resulted in the end of absolute monarchy in England. The last Stuart monarch was Queen Anne, who reigned until 1714.