James the Be-shitten
James II of England was one of the most unpopular Kings in British history, which is probably the best explanation for his rather unsavory nickname. He was hated by both the British and Irish, both of whom he served as king. Given that he was such a poor ruler and was so hated, it is no surprise that he reign was relatively short.
James II took the throne in 1685 after the death of his older brother. His rise to the throne was not particularly celebrated by Parliament, who feared that he was both Pro-Catholic and Pro-French. He ended up having a child who was a Catholic heir, which only cemented the fear of the people that he would push Catholicism and desire an absolute monarchy. He fought against the Parliament for control and to push for greater power.
When nobles in the country were forced out of their offices and replaced by Catholics, they decided it was time to ask James’ Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William to take the throne. When it became clear that William was going to invade, James raised his own army. However, once William entered the country many defected, including James’ other daughter, because they were in favor of Protestant rule. James refused to stand up to William and instead fled to France in 1688.
In 1689, James went to Ireland because they had not renounced him as King in the way that Britain and Scotland had. He raised an army in Ireland and tried to reclaim his throne. At the Battle of the Boyne on July 1, 1690, he faced an army personally led by William. Once again James fled to France, deserting his Irish followers who were then slaughtered by William’s army. Because of his desertion and betrayal, the Irish gave James the unflattering nickname of James the Be-shitten, or James the Shit or Seamus an Chaca.