en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Francis_Edward_Stuart
1 correction found
none of the infants had survived more than a few days
This is incorrect because Mary of Modena had at least one earlier child, Isabel Stuart, who lived for several years, not just a few days.
Full reasoning
The claim says that before James Francis Edward's birth, Mary of Modena's earlier infants had not survived beyond "a few days." But contemporary biographical/reference sources contradict that.
Mary of Modena's daughter Isabel Stuart was born in 1676 and died in 1681, meaning she lived for about four and a half years. The UK Government Art Collection page for a portrait of Isabella explicitly identifies her as "Princess Isabella (1676-1681)" and states that memorial images were made after her death "when she was just four." Encyclopedia.com likewise lists Mary of Modena's children and includes "Isabel (1676-1681)."
Because at least one of Mary of Modena's earlier children survived for years, the blanket statement that none of the infants survived more than a few days is factually wrong.
2 sources
- Princess Isabella (1676-1681) daughter of King James II and VII and Mary of Modena - Government Art Collection
The page identifies her as "Princess Isabella (1676-1681) daughter of King James II and VII and Mary of Modena" and notes that many versions were painted after Isabella's death, "when she was just four".
- Mary of Modena (1658-1718) | Encyclopedia.com
The entry lists Mary of Modena's children, including "Isabel (1676-1681)", contradicting the statement that none of her earlier infants survived more than a few days.