William III of England

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William III
Title	King of England, Scotland, and Ireland
Reign	1689–1702
Coronation	11 April 1689
Predecessor	James II & VII
Successor	Anne
Spouse	Mary II
Issue
Full Name
House	House of Orange-Nassau
Father	William II, Prince of Orange
Mother	Mary, Princess Royal
Birth Date	4 November 1650
Birth Place	The Hague, Dutch Republic
Death Date	8 March 1702
Death Place	Kensington Palace, London, England
Burial Date
Burial Place	Westminster Abbey

William III (4 November 1650 – 8 March 1702) was a sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, and Overijssel in the Dutch Republic from 1672, and King of England, Ireland, and Scotland from 1689 until his death in 1702. He is sometimes informally known as "William of Orange" in reference to his birthplace and family title, and "King Billy" in Ireland and Scotland.

Early Life and Education

William was born in The Hague in the Dutch Republic on 4 November 1650. He was the only child of William II, Prince of Orange, and Mary, Princess Royal, the eldest daughter of King Charles I of England. His father died of smallpox a few days before his birth, leaving William to inherit the title of Prince of Orange.

William was educated by several tutors, including the Calvinist preacher Cornelis Trigland, and was trained in the military arts by his uncle, Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg. His education was heavily influenced by the political and religious climate of the Dutch Republic, which was characterized by a strong Calvinist Protestant ethos.

Rise to Power

In 1672, the Dutch Republic faced a crisis known as the "Year of Disaster" (Rampjaar), when it was attacked by France, England, and two German states. William was appointed Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, and Overijssel, and he led the Dutch resistance against the invading forces. His leadership during this period earned him a reputation as a capable military commander and a staunch defender of Protestantism.

Marriage to Mary II

In 1677, William married his cousin Mary Stuart, the daughter of the future King James II. This marriage was part of a political alliance designed to strengthen the Protestant cause in Europe. Mary was a Protestant, and her marriage to William was seen as a way to counterbalance the Catholic influence of her father, James II.

The Glorious Revolution

In 1688, William was invited by a group of English nobles to invade England and overthrow the Catholic King James II, who was seen as a threat to Protestantism. William landed in England with a large army in November 1688, in what became known as the Glorious Revolution. James II fled to France, and William and Mary were declared joint sovereigns of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1689.

Reign as King

William's reign was marked by several significant events, including the passage of the Bill of Rights 1689, which limited the powers of the monarchy and established certain civil liberties. He also played a key role in the formation of the Grand Alliance against France, which sought to curb the expansionist policies of Louis XIV of France.

William's reign saw the continuation of the Nine Years' War (1688–1697) against France, and he was involved in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714) shortly before his death. His foreign policy was largely focused on maintaining the balance of power in Europe and protecting Protestant interests.

Death and Legacy

William died on 8 March 1702 at Kensington Palace from pneumonia, a complication from a broken collarbone resulting from a fall off his horse. He was succeeded by his sister-in-law, Queen Anne.

William's legacy is complex; he is remembered as a champion of Protestantism and constitutional monarchy, but also as a ruler whose reign was marked by war and political strife. His impact on the British Isles and Europe was significant, and his policies helped shape the modern British state.

Also see

• Mary II of England
• Glorious Revolution
• Bill of Rights 1689
• Nine Years' War
• War of the Spanish Succession
• House of Orange-Nassau