What was William III known for?

William III of England was known for the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw him peacefully take the throne from James II of England who abdicated. Events were more violent in Scotland and Ireland, but William returned the British monarchy to Protestantism, and his reign saw the beginning of a constitutional monarchy.

Why was William called the Prince of Orange?

William, Prince of Orange was a Dutchman, but he was so called because his family controlled the small principality of Orange in southern France.

Why did William III and Mary II rule together?

William III and Mary II ruled together because Parliament wanted to continue the direct line of Stuart monarchs through Mary but also have the powerful ally of the Netherlands through William.

Who succeeded William III of England?

William III of England, who had no children, was succeeded by his sister-in-law Anne, Queen of Great Britain in 1702.

Timeline: William III of England

Definition

William III of England (also William II of Scotland, r. 1689-1702) became king of England, Scotland, and Ireland after the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Protestant William, Prince of Orange, was invited to rule jointly with his wife Mary II of England (1689-1694), daughter of the deposed James II of England (1685-1688), who was Catholic. William spent much of his reign in an indecisive war with France and he was not popular in his adopted kingdom.

More about: William III of England

Timeline

4 Nov 1650
William of Orange (future William III of England) is born in Binnerhof Palace, The Hague.
4 Nov 1677
Princess Mary (future Mary II of England) marries William, Prince of Orange.
1678
A peace treaty is signed between France and the Netherlands.
1688 - 1697
The Nine Year’s War between France and the Netherlands, Holy Roman Empire, and Britian.
30 Jun 1688
A group of seven prominent Protestants invite William of Orange to become king of England.
5 Nov 1688
William of Orange lands an invading army in southern England.
23 Dec 1688
Parliament declares James II of England's abdication date as this day when he left English shores.
1689 - 1702
Reign of William III of England.
1689 - 1694
Reign of Mary II of England (ruled jointly with William III).
13 Feb 1689
Parliament formally decrees the new joint monarchs of William III of England and Mary II of England.
11 May 1689
William III of England and Mary II of England jointly accept the Scottish crown.
27 Jul 1689
Viscount Dundee defeats a pro-William army at Killiecrankie in Scotland.
Aug 1689
William III of England establishes control of Scotland with victory at the battle of Dunkeld.
21 Aug 1689
A Jacobite army led by ‘Bonnie’ Dundee is defeated at Dunkeld in Scotland. Dundee is killed.
16 Dec 1689
Parliament issues a Bill of Rights, which establishes a constituional monarchy in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
1 Jul 1690
William III establishes his rule over Ireland with victory against James II at the battle of Boyne.
Feb 1692
Leaders of the MacDonald clan (Jacobite supporters) are massacred at Glencoe by the Campbells.
28 Dec 1694
Mary II of England dies in Kensington Palace.
1696
William III of England survives a kidnap and assassination attempt by Jacobite sympathisers.
1697
The Civil List Act, which sets the funds available to the British monarchy.
20 Sep 1697
The Treaty of Ryswick ends the Nine Years' War.
8 Mar 1702
William III of England dies at Kensington Palace after falling from his horse.