[Cronos]

which by the death of Charles II had pretty much neutered the Brit monarchy.

Sorry about this, it's not relevant to the entire topic, but the British democratic process really came into being a little later than James IInd's rule -- specifically when they decided to choose the Georges from Hanover (German speakers who in the case of George I and II never learnt English and spent most of their time in Hanover) as their king

[wardaddy]

I am familiar with the Brit dynasties and yes Hanoverian too.

I think the Old Pretender got a raw deal.

Charles II was the last real monarch when he dissolved parliament...that was my point.