William III

William III (1650-1702), King of Britain, b. The Hague. Holland (now part of the Netherlands).

Prince William of Orange, stadtholder (governor) of the Netherlands, married Mary, the eldest daughter of the future King James II.

In 1688, he was asked by political leaders to take James's place as King of Britain. William was a Protestant and this was one of the reasons why he was chosen.

James II was a Catholic. On 5 November, William landed with an army at Torbay, Devon, and James fled. William and his wife, Mary, were crowned as joint rulers of Britain.

In 1689, William defeated a rebel army of James's supporters in Scotland.

With French help, James invaded Ireland but he was finally defeated on 11 July, 1690 in the Battle of the Boyne. Protestant groups in Northern Ireland, who call themselves Orangemen, take part in parades in memory of this battle every year.

Queen Mary II died in 1694 leaving William as sole ruler.

For much of his reign he was at war with France.