What is catherine sedley?

Catherine Sedley (1657-1717) was an English aristocrat and mistress to King James II of England. She was the daughter of Sir Charles Sedley, a playwright and member of parliament, and his mistress, Anne Ayscue. Catherine had a colorful personal life and was known for her wit and beauty. She later became the mistress of James II, who was then the Duke of York and ultimately ascended to the throne in 1685. Their relationship was scandalous at the time because it was known that she was not only his mistress but also the daughter of a royalist and a famous poet. Catherine was also known for her political views. She was a strong advocate for the rights of Irish Catholics and supported the exiled monarch James II. She fled to France after James was defeated in the Glorious Revolution in 1688 and remained there for the rest of her life, where she continued to be a vocal advocate for James and the Catholic cause. She died in Paris in 1717.