In 1688, James II, the Catholic King of England, Scotland and Ireland, was ousted by parliament in the Glorious Revolution and fled into exile in France.

But he did not quietly relinquish his claim to the throne, and he immediately began plotting his return. So began a political and military struggle which would last nearly sixty years as the Stuart dynasty sought to reclaim their lost Kingdoms. The Stuart supporters, or Jacobites, instituted the practice of drinking toasts to their King 'over the water' in glasses engraved with cryptic symbols which reflected their Stuart loyalties.

The NGV possesses an extensive and important collection of these rare glasses. Kings Over the Water will explore the fascinating hidden symbolism of these beautiful objects, created as part of a doomed political adventure whose tragic history continues to cast a romantic spell even today.

Cost

This is a free event.

Facilities