James, Duke of Monmouth, the natural son of Charles II, was taken early from his mother and reared in Paris by his grandmother Queen Henrietta Maria. Disappointed in his ambition to return to England immediately upon the restoration of his father to the throne, he began his fatal career of intrigue with Shaftesbury for recognition as Charless heir. At loggerheads with his Uncle James, Duke of York and legitimate heir, he took service in the Low Countries. On Charless death he embarked on the desperate West Country rising that would end at Sedgemoor.