Mary of Modena

Mary of Modena was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland as the second wife of James II and VII . A devout Catholic, Mary married the widowed James, who was the younger brother and heir presumptive of Charles II, . She was uninterested in politics and devoted to James and their children, two of whom survived to adulthood the Jacobite claimant to the thrones, James Francis Edward, , and Louisa Maria Teresa.

Mary Beatrice dEste, the second but eldest surviving child of Alfonso IV, Duke of Modena, and his wife, Laura Martinozzi, was born onOctober 1658 NS in Modena, Duchy of Modena, Italy. Her only younger brother, Francesco, succeeded their father as Duke upon his death in 1662, the year Mary turned four. Mary and Francescos mother Laura was strict with them, and acted as regent of the duchy until her son came of age. Marys education was excellent she spoke French and Italian fluently, had a good knowledge of Latin and, later, mastered English.

Source: Wikipedia