SNIPPET: "Irish Fright" refers to a mass panic in England in December of 1688 caused by reports of imminent pillage and massacre by Irish Catholic soldiers brought over to support James II's crumbling regime, and now leaderless following his flight. The panic, beginning in London on 13 December and spreading over six days or more to at least 19 counties, led to attacks on real or suspected Catholics and the hasty assembly of armed parties. James II (1633-1701), a convert to Catholicism since 1669, succeeded his brother Charles II as king of England, Ireland, and Scotland in February 1685. Contrary to later claims, he did not aspire to either absolutism or forcible religious change, believing that the use of his prerogative to suspend anti-Catholic legislation would be enough to promote a Catholic revival in England. However, suspicion of his intentions led to his overthrow in the revolution of 1688.