William III & II
Prince of Orange; Stadtholder of Holland and Zealand, Utrecht, Guelders and Overijssel; King of England, Ireland and Scots; (more...)
William III by Sir Godfrey Kneller
King of England, Scots and Ireland (more...)
Reign	13 February 1689–8 March 1702 (with Mary II until 28 December 1694)
Coronation	11 April 1689
Predecessor	James II
Successor	Anne
Co-monarch	Mary II
Full name
William Henry of Orange
Detail Titles and styles
HM The King HH The Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau
Royal house	House of Orange-Nassau
Father	William II, Prince of Orange
Mother	Mary, Princess Royal
Born	14 November 1650(1650-11-14) [OS: 4 November 1650][1] Binnenhof, The Hague
Died	8 March 1702 (aged 51) Kensington Palace, London
Burial	Westminster Abbey, London

William III (14 November 1650 – 8 March 1702) was the Prince of Orange from his birth, Stadtholder of the main provinces of the Dutch Republic from 28 June 1672, King of England and King of Ireland from 13 February 1689, and King of Scots (under the name William II) from 11 April 1689, in each case until his death. The precise style of British Sovereigns has varied over the years. ... Sir Godfrey Kneller (August 8, 1646 -October 19, 1723) was an artist, court painter to several British monarchs. ... This is a list of British monarchs, that is, the monarchs on the thrones of some of the various kingdoms that have existed on, or incorporated, the island of Great Britain, namely: England (united with Wales from 1536) up to 1707; Scotland up to 1707; The Kingdom of Great Britain... This is a list of British monarchs, that is, the monarchs on the thrones of some of the various kingdoms that have existed on, or incorporated, the island of Great Britain, namely: England (united with Wales from 1536) up to 1707; Scotland up to 1707; The Kingdom of Great Britain... The designation King of Ireland has been used during three periods of Irish history. ... The precise style of British Sovereigns has varied over the years. ... is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1689 (MDCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events March 8 - William III died; Princess Anne Stuart becomes Queen Anne of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... Mary II (30 April 1662–28 December 1694) reigned as Queen of England and Ireland from 13 February 1689, and as Queen of Scots (as Mary II of Scotland) from 11 April 1689 until her death. ... is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events February 6 - The colony Quilombo dos Palmares is destroyed. ... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1689 (MDCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... James II and VII (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701)[2] was King of England, King of Scots,[1] and King of Ireland from 6 February 1685 to 11 December 1688. ... Anne (6 February 1665 – 1 August 1714) became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702, succeeding William III of England and II of Scotland. ... Mary II (30 April 1662–28 December 1694) reigned as Queen of England and Ireland from 13 February 1689, and as Queen of Scots (as Mary II of Scotland) from 11 April 1689 until her death. ... A Royal House or Dynasty is a sort of family name used by royalty. ... The House of Orange-Nassau (in Dutch: Huis van Oranje-Nassau), a branch of the German House of Nassau, has played a central role in the political life of the Netherlands - and at times in Europe - since William I of Orange (also known as William the Silent and Father of... William II (fragment of a 1641 painting by Antoon van Dijck) William II, Prince of Orange (May 27, 1626 – November 6, 1650), stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands from March 14, 1647 until his death. ... Mary, Princess Royal and Princess Orange-Nassau (4 November 1631 - 24 December 1660) was the eldest daughter of King Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland and his queen, Henrietta Maria. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1650 (MDCL) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Old Style redirects here. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1650 (MDCL) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Binnenhof (Dutch, lit. ... Hague redirects here. ... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events March 8 - William III died; Princess Anne Stuart becomes Queen Anne of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... Kensington Palace Park Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a mainly Gothic church, on the scale of a cathedral (and indeed often mistaken for one), in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1650 (MDCL) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events March 8 - William III died; Princess Anne Stuart becomes Queen Anne of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... Prince of Orange is a title of nobility, originally associated with the principality of Orange in southern France. ... A stadtholder (Dutch: stadhouder meaning place holder, a Germanic parallel to Latin locum tenens or French lieutenant), means an official who is appointed by the legal ruling Monarch to represent him in a country, and may have a mandate to govern it in his name, in the latter case roughly... Map of Dutch Republic by Joannes Janssonius United Netherlands redirects here. ... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events England, France, Munster and Cologne invade the United Provinces, therefore this name is know as ´het rampjaar´ (the disaster year) in the Netherlands. ... This is a list of British monarchs, that is, the monarchs on the thrones of some of the various kingdoms that have existed on, or incorporated, the island of Great Britain, namely: England (united with Wales from 1536) up to 1707; Scotland up to 1707; The Kingdom of Great Britain... The designation King of Ireland has been used during three periods of Irish history. ... is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1689 (MDCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... This is a list of British monarchs, that is, the monarchs on the thrones of some of the various kingdoms that have existed on, or incorporated, the island of Great Britain, namely: England (united with Wales from 1536) up to 1707; Scotland up to 1707; The Kingdom of Great Britain... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1689 (MDCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Born a member of the House of Orange-Nassau, William III won the English, Scottish and Irish Crowns following the Glorious Revolution, during which his uncle and father-in-law, James II, was deposed. In England, Scotland and Ireland, William ruled jointly with his wife, Mary II, until her death on 28 December 1694. He reigned as 'William II' in Scotland, but 'William III' in all his other realms. Often he is referred to as William of Orange, a name he shared with many other historical figures. In Northern Ireland and Scotland, he is often informally known as King Billy. The House of Orange-Nassau (in Dutch: Huis van Oranje-Nassau), a branch of the German House of Nassau, has played a central role in the political life of the Netherlands - and at times in Europe - since William I of Orange (also known as William the Silent and Father of... The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of King James II of England (VII of Scotland) in 1688 by a union of Parliamentarians and the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau (William of Orange), who as a result ascended the English throne as William... James II and VII (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701)[2] was King of England, King of Scots,[1] and King of Ireland from 6 February 1685 to 11 December 1688. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... Mary II (30 April 1662–28 December 1694) reigned as Queen of England and Ireland from 13 February 1689, and as Queen of Scots (as Mary II of Scotland) from 11 April 1689 until her death. ... is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events February 6 - The colony Quilombo dos Palmares is destroyed. ... Northern Ireland (Irish: , Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a constituent country of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... This article is about the country. ...

William III was appointed to the Dutch post of Stadtholder on 28 June 1672 (Old Style), and remained in office until he died. In that context, he is sometimes referred to as 'William Henry, Prince of Orange', as a translation of his Dutch title, Willem Hendrik, Prins van Oranje. A Protestant, William participated in many wars against the powerful Catholic King Louis XIV of France. A stadtholder (Dutch: stadhouder meaning place holder, a Germanic parallel to Latin locum tenens or French lieutenant), means an official who is appointed by the legal ruling Monarch to represent him in a country, and may have a mandate to govern it in his name, in the latter case roughly... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events England, France, Munster and Cologne invade the United Provinces, therefore this name is know as ´het rampjaar´ (the disaster year) in the Netherlands. ... Old Style can refer to: Old Style and New Style dates, a shift from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar: in Britain in 1752, in Russia in 1918. ... Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ... Louis XIV redirects here. ...

Many Protestants heralded him as a champion of their faith. It was largely due to that reputation that he was able to take the crowns of England and Scotland, where many, especially the English aristocracy, were intensely fearful of a revival of Catholicism and the papacy. Undoubtedly, his army and sizable naval fleet also played a role. His reign marked the beginning of the transition from the personal rule of the Stuarts to the more Parliament-centered rule of the House of Hanover. The Pope is the Catholic Bishop and patriarch of Rome, and head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches. ... The Coat of Arms of King James I, the first British monarch of the House of Stuart The House of Stuart or Stewart was a royal house of the Kingdom of Scotland, later also of the Kingdom of England, and finally of the Kingdom of Great Britain. ... The House of Hanover (the Hanoverians) is a German royal dynasty which has ruled the Duchy of Braunschweig-Lüneburg, the Kingdom of Hanover and the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. ...

Early life

Birth and family

William's parents, William II of Orange and Mary Stuart, Princess Royal.

William Henry of Orange, the only child of stadtholder William II, Prince of Orange and Mary, Princess Royal of England, was born in The Hague, The Netherlands on 4 November 1650.^[2] Eight days before William's birth, his father died from smallpox; thus William was the Sovereign Prince of Orange from the moment of his birth.^[3] Immediately a conflict ensued between the Princess Royal and William II's mother, Amalia of Solms-Braunfels, over the name to be given to the infant. Mary wanted to name him Charles after her brother, her mother-in-law insisted however on giving him the name William or Willem to bolster his prospects of becoming stadtholder.^[4] William II had appointed his wife as his son's guardian in his will; however the document remained unsigned at William II's death and was void.^[4] On 13 August 1651 the Dutch Hoge Raad (Supreme Council) ruled that guardianship would be shared between Mary (his mother), Amalia (his grandmother) and Frederick William, the Elector of Brandenburg (his uncle, married to his father's sister, Louise Henriette of Nassau).^[5] William II, Prince of Orange (May 27, 1626 - November 6, 1650), stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (March 14, 1647 - November 6, 1650). ... Mary, Princess Royal and Princess Orange-Nassau (4 November 1631 - 24 December 1660) was the eldest daughter of King Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland and his queen, Henrietta Maria. ... Hague redirects here. ... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1650 (MDCL) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Smallpox (also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera) is a contagious disease unique to humans. ... Roman theatre at Orange, France Orange (Arenjo in Provençal) is a city in the département of Vaucluse, in the south of France. ... Princess Anne, the current Princess Royal Princess Royal is a style customarily (but not automatically) awarded by a British monarch to his or her eldest daughter. ... Amalia of Solms-Braunfels (31 August 1602 – 8 September 1675), countess of Solms-Braunfels, was the wife of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange. ... is the 225th day of the year (226th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events January 1 - Charles II crowned King of Scotland in Scone. ... Hoge Raad der Nederlanden is the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, situated in The Hague. ... Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg. ... The Margrave of Brandenburg was one of the seven Electors of the Holy Roman Empire created by the Golden Bull of 1356. ...

Childhood and education

William's mother showed little personal interest in her son, sometimes being absent for years, and had always deliberately kept herself apart from Dutch society. William's education was first laid in the hands of several Dutch governesses, and some of English descent, including Walburg Howard (a stepdaughter of the future Countess of Chesterfield and half-sister of the future 1st Earl of Bellomont). From April 1656 the Calvinist preacher Cornelis Trigland, a follower of the puritan theologian Gisbertus Voetius, instructed the prince daily in the reformed religion.^[6] A short treatise, perhaps by one of William's tutors, Constantijn Huygens, details the ideal education for William entitled Discours sur la nourriture de S.H. Monseigneur le Prince d'Orange.^[7] In these lessons, the prince was taught that he was his predestined to become an instrument Divine Providence, fulfilling the historical destiny of the House of Orange.^[8] For other people entitled Countess of Chesterfield, see Countess of Chesterfield. ... Charles Henry Kirkhoven, 1st Earl of Bellomont (9 May 1643–1683) was a Dutch-born English peer, known as Lord Wotton from 1649-1680. ... In an unadorned church, the 17th century congregation stands to hear the sermon. ... Gisbertus Voetius (Voet) (March 3, 1589 — November 1, 1676) was a Dutch theologian. ... Constantijn Huygens (September 4, 1596 - March 28, 1687) was a Dutch poet and composer, Secretary to two Princes, and the father of Christiaan Huygens. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... In theology, Divine Providence, or simply Providence, is the sovereignty, superintendence, or agency of God over events in peoples lives and throughout history. ... The Principality of Orange The title originally referred to the sovereign principality of Orange in southern France, which was a property of the House of Orange (from 1702 Orange-Nassau). ...

From early 1659, William spent seven years at the University of Leyden for a formal education — though never officially enrolling as a student — under the guidance of ethics professor Hendrik Bornius.^[9] While residing in the Prinsenhof at Leyden, William had a small personal retinue including Hans Willem Bentinck, and a new governor: Frederik van Nassau, Lord Zuylestein, the illegitimate son of stadtholder Frederick Henry of Orange. He was taught French until after the death of his mother by Samuel Chappuzeau, who was dismissed by William's grandmother early in 1661 .^[10] Leiden University in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. ... The Earl of Portland Hans William Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland, KG, PC (20 July 1649-23 November 1709), the son of Bernard Baron Bentinck of Diepenheim, was a Dutch and English nobleman born as Hans Willem Bentinck. ... Frederick Henry (January 29, 1584–March 14, 1647), Prince of Orange, the youngest child of William the Silent, was born at Delft about six months before his fathers assassination. ... Samuel Chappuzeau (1625-1701) was a French scholar, author, poet and playwright whose best-known work today is Le Théâtre François, a description of French Theatre in the 17th century. ...

Ward of Charles II

William's uncle, Charles II of England, took an interest in his upbringing.

On 25 September 1660 the States of Holland resolved to take charge of William's education to ensure he would acquire the skills necessary to serve in an as yet undetermined future state function.^[11] This first involvement of the authorities would not last long, however. On 23 December 1660, when William was just ten years old, his mother died of smallpox at Whitehall Palace, London while visiting her brother King Charles II.^[11] In her will, Mary requested that Charles look after William's interests, and the English King now demanded the States of Holland end their interference.^[12] To appease Charles, they complied on 30 September 1661.^[13] In 1661, Lord Zuylestein began to work for Charles, and induced William to write letters to the English king asking his uncle to interfere on his behalf to improve his prospects on the stadtholderate.^[14] Charles then exploited this issue for political leverage, trying to sow dissension in Dutch society between the Orangists and the republican "States" faction. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (752x1159, 66 KB) Beschreibung Description: Charles II. of England Source: http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (752x1159, 66 KB) Beschreibung Description: Charles II. of England Source: http://www. ... Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. ... is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events January 1 - Colonel George Monck with his regiment crosses from Scotland to England at the village of Coldstream and begins advance towards London in support of English Restoration. ... The States of Holland and West Friesland were the representation of the three Estates (standen): Nobility, Clergy and Commons to the court of the Count of Holland. ... is the 357th day of the year (358th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events January 1 - Colonel George Monck with his regiment crosses from Scotland to England at the village of Coldstream and begins advance towards London in support of English Restoration. ... Smallpox (also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera) is a contagious disease unique to humans. ... The Palace of Whitehall was the main residence of the English monarchs in London from 1530 until 1698 when all except Inigo Jones 1622 Banqueting House was destroyed by fire. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1661 (MDCLXI) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Orangism is a form of royalistic loyalty to the House of Orange-Nassau of the Netherlands. ...

Intrigue and adolescence

The Dutch authorities did their best at first to ignore these intrigues, but in the Second Anglo-Dutch War one of Charles's peace conditions was the improvement of the position of his nephew.^[14] As a countermeasure in 1666, when William was sixteen, the States of Holland officially made him a ward of the government, or a "Child of State".^[14] All pro-English courtiers, including Lord Zuylestein, were removed from William's company.^[14] William begged Grand Pensionary Johan de Witt to allow Lord Zuylestein to stay. De Witt, the leading politician of the Republic, refused, but took part of William's education into his own hands, instructing him weekly in state matters — and joining him in a regular game of real tennis. The Second Anglo-Dutch War was fought between England and the United Provinces from 4 March 1665 until 31 July 1667. ... The Grand Pensionary (Dutch: raad(s)pensionaris) was the most important Dutch official during the time of the United Provinces. ... Johan de Witt (September 24, 1625, Dordrecht - August 20, 1672, The Hague) was a significant Dutch political figure. ... Jeu de paume in the 17th century. ...

In September 1668, Amalia and Frederick William declared that William had reached the age of majority; an act of dubious legality, as boys only attained majority at 23, with a special permit needed for an earlier age of majority. Although no such permit ever was issued, the declaration was condoned by the authorities to avoid raising political tensions. Friedrich Wilhelm I of Brandenburg. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Early offices

Johan de Witt took over William's education in 1666.

William II held, in official feudal order, the office of stadtholder of Guelders, Holland, Zealand, Utrecht, and Overijssel. However all these five provinces suspended the office of stadtholder upon William II's death. During the "First Stadtholderless Era," power was de facto held from 1653 by Grand Pensionary Johan de Witt. The Treaty of Westminster (1654), which ended the First Anglo-Dutch War, had a secret annex attached on demand of Oliver Cromwell: the Act of Seclusion, which forbade the province of Holland to appoint a member of the House of Orange as stadtholder. After the English Restoration, the Act of Seclusion, which had not remained a secret for very long, was declared void as the English Commonwealth (with which the treaty had been concluded) no longer existed. In September 1660, Mary and Amalia tried to convince several provincial States to designate William as their future stadtholder, but all eventually refused. A stadtholder (Dutch: stadhouder meaning place holder, a Germanic parallel to Latin locum tenens or French lieutenant), means an official who is appointed by the legal ruling Monarch to represent him in a country, and may have a mandate to govern it in his name, in the latter case roughly... Original coat of arms of the county and duchy of Guelders This article deals with the historical county and duchy of Guelders, for other meanings see Gelderland. ... This article is about a region in the Netherlands. ... Capital Middelburg Largest city Terneuzen Queens Commissioner Karla Peijs Religion (1999) Protestant 35% Catholic 23% Area  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water   1,788 km² (10th) 1,146 km² Population (2006)  â€¢ Total  â€¢ Density 380,186 (11th) 213/km² (10th) Anthem Zeeuws volkslied ISO NL-ZE Official website www. ... Utrecht is the smallest province of the Netherlands, and is located in the center of the country. ... Flag of Overijssel Overijssel is a province of the Netherlands, located in the central eastern part of the country. ... The 1654 Treaty of Westminster ended the First Anglo-Dutch War of 1652–1654. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English military and political leader best known for his involvement in making England into a republican Commonwealth and for his later role as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... The Act of Seclusion is a secret annex in the Treaty of Westminster (1654) between the United Provinces and the Commonwealth of England in which William III, Prince of Orange, was excluded from the office of Stadtholder. ... For other uses, see Restoration. ... The Commonwealth was the republican government which ruled first England and then the whole of Britain, Ireland, the colonies and other Crown possessions during the periods from 1649 (the monarch Charles I being beheaded on January 30 and An Act declaring England to be a Commonwealth being passed by the...

Exclusion from stadtholdership

In 1667, as William III approached the age of eighteen, the pro-Orange party again attempted to bring the Prince to power by securing for him the offices of stadtholder and Captain-General. To prevent the restoration of the influence of the House of Orange, De Witt allowed the pensionary of Haarlem, Gaspar Fagel, to procure on 5 August 1667 issuance of the Eternal Edict by the States of Holland.^[15] The Edict declared that the Captain-General or Admiral-General of the Netherlands could not serve as stadtholder in any province.^[15] Furthermore, the province of Holland abolished the very office of stadtholder and the four other provinces followed suit in March 1670, establishing the so-called "Harmony".^[15] De Witt demanded an oath from each Hollandic regent (city council member) to uphold the Edict; all but one complied.^[15] Captain General (and its literal equivalent in several languages) is a high military rank and a gubernatorial title. ... Coordinates: , Country Province Area (2006)  - Municipality 32. ... Gaspar Fagel, painted by Johannes Vollevens Gaspar Fagel (January 25, 1634, The Hague - December 15, 1688) was a Dutch statesman. ... is the 217th day of the year (218th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events January 20 - Poland cedes Kyiv, Smolensk, and eastern Ukraine to Russia in the Treaty of Andrusovo that put a final end to the Deluge, and Poland lost its status as a Central European power. ... The Eternal Edict is a resolution from 1667 in which the States of Holland on instigation of Grand Pensionary of Holland Johan de Witt decided to abolish the office of Stadtholder and in which the remaining six provinces of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands declared the office of...

Gaspar Fagel replaced De Witt as Grand Pensionary, and was more friendly to William's interests.

William saw all this as a defeat, but in fact this arrangement was a comprise: De Witt would have preferred to ignore the prince completely, but now his eventual rise to the office of supreme army commander was implicit.^[16] Also, De Witt conceded that William would be admitted as a member of the Raad van State, the Council of State, then the generality organ administering the defence budget. William was introduced to the council on 31 May 1670, with full voting powers despite De Witt's attempts to limit his role to that of an advisor. Another victory for William was that the States of Zealand on 19 September 1668 received him as First Noble, the first in rank of the nobility delegates in the States of that province. To be received, William had to escape the attention of his state tutors and secretly travel to Middelburg. It was this event that had triggered his being prematurely declared of age by his guardians. Gaspar Fagel, painted by Johannes Vollevens Gaspar Fagel (January 25, 1634, The Hague - December 15, 1688) was a Dutch statesman. ... The Council of State is the name of an organ of government in many states, and especially in republics. ... is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1670 (MDCLXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1668 (MDCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Coordinates: , Country Province Area (2006)  - Municipality 53. ...

In November 1670, William obtained permission to travel to England to urge king Charles to pay back at least a part of the 2,797,859 guilder debt the House of Stuart owed the House of Orange. The structural penury of the English crown precluded much progress in that respect. William was greatly surprised when Charles tried to convert him to Catholicism, recommended as the ideal religion for absolutist kings. His shocked reaction made Charles decide not to make his nephew privy to his secret Treaty of Dover with France, directed at destroying the Dutch Republic and installing William as puppet "sovereign" of a Hollandic rump state. William returned to the Dutch Republic in February 1671, having disappointed his uncle but having made a good impression on several politicians who would later belong to the Whig party. ISO 4217 Code NLG User(s) The Netherlands Inflation 2. ... The Treaty of Dover was secret treaty of 1670 between Charles II of England and Louis XIV of France. ... A rump state is the remnant of a once-larger government, left with limited powers or authority after a disaster, invasion or military occupation. ...

During 1671, the Republic's situation deteriorated quickly. Though De Witt was in a state of denial, there were many signs of an impending Anglo-French attack. In view of the threat, many provinces wanted William to be appointed Captain-General as soon as possible, despite his youth and inexperience. On 15 December 1671 the States of Utrecht made this their official policy. On 19 January 1672 the States of Holland made a counterproposal: to appoint William for just a single campaign. The prince refused this and on 25 February a compromise was reached: an appointment by the States-General of the Netherlands for one summer, followed by a permanent appointment on his 22nd birthday. is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events May 9 - Thomas Blood, disguised as a clergyman, attempts to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. ... is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events England, France, Munster and Cologne invade the United Provinces, therefore this name is know as ´het rampjaar´ (the disaster year) in the Netherlands. ... is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The States-General (Staten-Generaal) is the parliament of the Netherlands. ...

Meanwhile William had written a secret letter to Charles in January 1672 asking his uncle to exploit the situation by exerting pressure on the States-General to appoint William stadtholder. In return, William would ally the Republic with England and serve Charles's interests as much as his "honour and the loyalty due to this state" allowed. Charles took no action on the proposal; for him it would have meant a difficult renegotiation with France. He intended to enforce Dutch servitude by force.

Becoming stadtholder

War with France

Main article: Franco-Dutch War

For the Dutch Republic 1672 proved calamitous, becoming known as the "disaster year" due to the Franco-Dutch War in which the Netherlands were invaded by France, under Louis XIV, who had the aid of England (Third Anglo-Dutch War), Münster, and Cologne. Although the Anglo-French fleet was disabled by the Battle of Solebay, in June the French army quickly overran Gelderland and Utrecht, and the States of Overijssel surrendered on 5 July to Münster. William on 14 June withdrew with the remnants of his field army into Holland, where the States had ordered the flooding of Dutch Water Line on 8 June. Louis XIV, believing the war was over, began negotiations to extract as large a sum of money from the Dutch as possible. The presence of a large French army in the heart of the Republic caused a general panic. There were many disturbances and in most cities the councils turned Orangist. On 4 July the States of Holland appointed William stadtholder, and he took the oath on 9 July. On 5 July a special envoy from Charles, Lord Arlington, met with William in Nieuwerbrug. He offered to make William Sovereign Prince of Holland in exchange for his capitulation — whereas a stadtholder was a mere civil servant. When William refused, Arlington threatened that William would witness the end of his state. William made his famous answer: "There is one way to avoid this: to die defending it in the last ditch". On 7 July, the inundations were complete and the further advance of the French army was, to its great surprise, effectively blocked. On 16 July Zealand offered the stadtholderate to William. The same day England promised Louis in the Accord of Heeswijk never to conclude a separate peace. On 18 July William received a letter from Charles, claiming that the only real obstacle to peace was the continued influence of De Witt and his faction. William sent a secret letter back offering ₤400,000, Surinam, and Sluys; in return Charles would make him Sovereign Prince and conclude a separate peace. Charles, greatly annoyed, refused and accused William of scheming behind his back with "Whig" leaders. The Dutch War (1672–1678) was a war fought between France and a quadruple alliance consisting of Brandenburg, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and the United Provinces. ... The Dutch War (1672–1678) was a war fought between France and a quadruple alliance consisting of Brandenburg, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and the United Provinces. ... Louis XIV King of France and Navarre By Hyacinthe Rigaud (1701) Louis XIV (Louis-Dieudonné) (September 5, 1638–September 1, 1715) reigned as King of France and King of Navarre from May 14, 1643 until his death. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... For other places with the same or similar names, and other uses of the word, see Munster (disambiguation) Münster is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. ... For other uses, see Cologne (disambiguation). ... Combatants United Provinces (Netherlands) England, France Commanders Michiel de Ruyter Adriaen Banckert Willem Joseph van Ghent The Duke of York and Albany, The Earl of Sandwich, Jean II dEstrées Strength 75 ships 93 ships Casualties 1 ship destroyed, 1 captured 1 ship destroyed The naval Battle of Solebay... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... the New Waterline The Dutch Water Line was a series of waterbased defences conceived by Maurice of Nassau and realised by his half brother Fredrick Henry. ... is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington (1618 - July 28, 1685), was an English statesman. ... Nieuwerbrug () is a town in the Dutch province of South Holland. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Republic of Suriname, more commonly known as Suriname or Surinam, (formerly known as Netherlands Guiana and Dutch Guiana) is a country in northern South America, in between French Guiana to the east and Guyana to the west. ... Sluis is a municipality and a town in the southwestern Netherlands in the west of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. ...

Louis XIV of France became William's life-long enemy.

Johan de Witt had been unable to function as Grand Pensionary after having been wounded by an attempt on his life on 21 June. On 15 August William published Charles's letter of 18 July to incite the populace against De Witt. On 20 August, he and his brother, Cornelis de Witt, were brutally murdered by an Orangist civil militia in The Hague. Today, some historians believe that William may have been directly complicit in the murder. Gaspar Fagel then became Grand Pensionary. After this William replaced 130 regents with his followers. He was also appointed Admiral-General of the Netherlands. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (704x889, 294 KB) no rights due of age File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Louis XIV of France Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (704x889, 294 KB) no rights due of age File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Louis XIV of France Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from... Louis XIV redirects here. ... Johan de Witt (September 24, 1625, Dordrecht - August 20, 1672, The Hague) was a significant Dutch political figure. ... The Grand Pensionary (Dutch: raad(s)pensionaris) was the most important Dutch official during the time of the United Provinces. ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 227th day of the year (228th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 232nd day of the year (233rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Cornelis, or Cornelius de Witt (1623-1672) was a Dutch statesman. ... Gaspar Fagel, painted by Johannes Vollevens Gaspar Fagel (January 25, 1634, The Hague - December 15, 1688) was a Dutch statesman. ...

William III continued to fight against the invaders from England and France, allying himself with Spain. In November 1672 he took his army to Maastricht to threaten the French supply lines. In August 1672, Münster had lifted the siege of Groningen and in December the territory of Drenthe was liberated. In 1673, the situation further improved. Though Louis took Maastricht and an audacious attack of William against Charleroi failed, Lieutenant-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter defeated the Anglo-French fleet three times, forcing Charles to end England's involvement by the Treaty of Westminster (1674); from late 1673 onwards France slowly withdrew from the territory of the Republic with the exception of Maastricht. Fagel now proposed to treat the liberated provinces of Utrecht, Gelderland (Guelders) and Overijssel as conquered territory (Generality Lands), as punishment for their quick surrender to the enemy. William refused but obtained a special mandate from the States-General to newly appoint all delegates in the States of these provinces. William tried to exploit this to fulfill his desire to become sovereign. His followers in the States of Utrecht on 26 April 1674 appointed him hereditary stadtholder in the male line of descent. William bought the country house formerly owned by Cornelis de Graeff and had it rebuilt by Maurits Post. It is now the Soestdijk Palace. The States of Guelders on 30 January 1675 offered the titles of Duke of Guelders and Count of Zutphen. Very negative reactions to this from Zealand and the city of Amsterdam, where the stock market collapsed, made William ultimately decide to decline these honours; in 1675 he was merely appointed stadtholder of Gelderland and Overijssel. Coordinates: , Country Province Area (2006)  - Municipality 60. ... For the German town, see Gröningen. ... For the Dutch footballer, see Royston Drenthe. ... Charleroi (Walloon: TchÃ¥lerwè) is the first city and municipality of Wallonia in population. ... Lieutenant Admiral is a senior naval military rank in some countries of the world. ... Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter, Lieutenant-Admiral of the United Provinces by Ferdinand Bol, painted 1667 Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter (24 March 1607 – 29 April 1676) is one of the most famous admirals in Dutch history. ... The Treaty of Westminster was the peace treaty that ended the Third Anglo-Dutch War. ... The Generality Lands (Dutch: Generaliteitslanden) were border territories of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, that were directly governed by the Estates-General of the Netherlands. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events February 19 - England and the Netherlands sign the Treaty of Westminster. ... Maurits Post (1645-1677) was a Dutch Golden Age architect. ... Soestdijk Palace, where Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard lived for over six decades. ... is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1675 (MDCLXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Zutphen (old alternate spelling: Zutfen) is a municipality and a town in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands on the right bank of the IJssel at the influx of the Berkel, and a junction station 29 km by rail N.N.E. of Arnhem. ... A stock market is a market for the trading of company stock, and derivatives of same; both of these are securities listed on a stock exchange as well as those only traded privately. ...

Marriage

William married his first cousin, the future Queen Mary II, in 1677.

Meanwhile the war lingered on as the French army was much too strong to be decisively defeated in open battle. To strengthen his position, William sought to marry his first cousin Mary, the daughter of James, Duke of York and later James II of England. James was not inclined to consent; however, Charles pressured his brother to do so. The marriage occurred on 4 November 1677. Despite a difficult start, the marriage was a success although fruitless. Image File history File links Queen_Mary_II.jpg‎ Portrait of Queen Mary II, Wearing a Blue and Red Dress and Holding a Sprig of Orange Blossom by William Wissing The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those... Image File history File links Queen_Mary_II.jpg‎ Portrait of Queen Mary II, Wearing a Blue and Red Dress and Holding a Sprig of Orange Blossom by William Wissing The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those... Mary II (30 April 1662–28 December 1694) reigned as Queen of England and Ireland from 13 February 1689, and as Queen of Scots (as Mary II of Scotland) from 11 April 1689 until her death. ... Mary II (30 April 1662–28 December 1694) reigned as Queen of England and Ireland from 13 February 1689, and as Queen of Scots (as Mary II of Scotland) from 11 April 1689 until her death. ... James II and VII (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701)[2] was King of England, King of Scots,[1] and King of Ireland from 6 February 1685 to 11 December 1688. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1677 (MDCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...

During the 1690s rumors of William's homosexual inclinations grew and led to the publication of many satirical pamphlets.^[17] He had several male favourites, including a Rotterdam bailiff Van Zuylen van Nijveld, and two Dutch courtiers to whom he granted English dignities: Hans Willem Bentinck became Earl of Portland, and Arnold Joost van Keppel was created Earl of Albemarle. William was especially close to his fellow Dutch countrymen and made little headway into his new dominions as a monarch, always something of an outsider to his British subjects. He himself expressed it this way: "I clearly perceive that this people was not made for me, nor was I made for this people".^[18] Nickname: Motto: Sterker door strijd (Stronger through Struggle) Location of Rotterdam Coordinates: , Country Province Government  - Mayor Ivo Opstelten  - Aldermen Jeannette Baljeu Hamit Karakus Orhan Kaya Lucas Bolsius Jantine Kriens Dominic Schrijer Roelf de Boer Leonard Geluk Area [1]  - Total 319 km² (123. ... The Earl of Portland Hans William Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland, KG, PC (20 July 1649-23 November 1709), the son of Bernard Baron Bentinck of Diepenheim, was a Dutch and English nobleman born as Hans Willem Bentinck. ... The title of Earl of Portland has been created twice in the Peerage of England, most recently for Hans Willem Bentinck, the favorite of King William III in 1689. ... Arnold Joost van Keppel, 1st Earl of Albemarle, and lord of Voorst in Gelderland (c. ... Earls of Albemarle. ...

Bentinck's closeness to William aroused jealousies, but there seems to have been no serious suggestion that there was anything improper about their relationship. The same could not be said for Keppel, who was 20 years William's junior and strikingly handsome, and had risen from being a royal page to an earldom with suspicious ease. Portland wrote to William in 1697 that 'the kindness which your Majesty has for a young man, and the way in which you seem to authorise his liberties... make the world say things I am ashamed to hear'. This, he said, was 'tarnishing a reputation which has never before been subject to such accusations'. William replied, saying, 'It seems to me very extraordinary that it should be imposible to have esteem and regard for a young man without it being criminal'. There are a couple of Keppels:- Hummelo en Keppel Arnold Joost van Keppel, 1st Earl of Albemarle Augustus Keppel, 1st Viscount Keppel Keppel Island Great Keppel Island Wilson, Keppel and Betty Alice Keppel, Edward VIIs last favorita, and great grandmother to Camilla Parker-Bowles. ... Portland has many meanings. ... Events September 11 - Battle of Zenta, Prince Eugene of Savoy crushed Ottoman army of Mustafa II September 20 - The Treaty of Ryswick December 2 – St Pauls Cathedral opened in London Peter the Great travels in Europe officially incognito as artilleryman Pjotr Mikhailov Use of palanquins increases in Europe Christopher...

It is impossible after 300 years to know the truth of these matters, when royal courts were always surrounded by intrigue, gossip and propaganda. It is possible, though not likely, that William and Bentinck had been lovers in their youth, and possible also that his relationship with Keppel was sexual. It is also possible that William had homosexual tendencies which he never acted on, but which led him to favour attractive young men, especially if they were capable and loyal.

Several facts must be set against the theory that William III was homosexual. First, he was deeply devoted to his wife. Their marriage was childless, but they shared a bed, and had the marriage not been consummated such a scandal would have been reported. His grief at her death was spectacular. Second (and despite this) he was known to have had a long affair with an English lady-in-waiting, Elizabeth Villiers, which ended only in 1685 when it was discovered that James II was using the affair as a means of espionage and blackmail at William's court. Third, both Portland and Abermale had well documented heterosexual afairs. None of these facts are conclusive, but they weigh heavily when there is no direct evidence to support the opposite view. ^[19] Elizabeth Villiers ( 1657- April 19, 1733), was the daughter of Colonel Sir Edward Villiers of Richmond and his wife, Frances Howard. ... James II can refer to: James II of Scotland James II of England James II of Aragon James II of Cyprus This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Peace with France, intrigue with England

By 1678, the strain of continuing the war, financial and otherwise, induced Louis to seek peace. William however remained very suspicious of Louis, thinking the French king desired "Universal Kingship" over Europe, whereas Louis described William as "my mortal enemy" and saw him as an obnoxious warmonger. France's continued small annexations in Germany (the Réunion policy) and the recalling of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, caused a surge of Huguenot refugees to the Republic. This led William III to join various anti-French alliances, such as the Association League, and ultimately the League of Augsburg (an anti-French coalition that also included the Holy Roman Empire, Sweden, Spain and several German states) in 1686. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... From the 16th to the 18th century the name Huguenot was applied to a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of France, historically known as the French Calvinists. ... The Grand Alliance was a European coalition, consisting (at various times) of Austria, Bavaria, Brandenburg, England, the Holy Roman Empire, the Palatinate of the Rhine, Portugal, Saxony, Spain, Sweden, and the United Provinces. ... This article is about the medieval empire. ... A stereotypical German The Germans (German: die Deutschen), or the German people, are a nation in the meaning an ethnos (in German: Volk), defined more by a sense of sharing a common German culture and having a German mother tongue, than by citizenship or by being subjects to any particular...

Portrait of William by Peter Lely

After his marriage, William became a possible candidate for the English throne if his father-in-law (and uncle) James would be excluded because of his Catholicism. During the crisis concerning the Exclusion Bill in 1680, Charles at first invited William to come to England to bolster the king's position against the exclusionists, then withdrew his invitation — after which Lord Sunderland also tried to bring William over but now to put pressure on Charles. The ever-cautious stadtholder remained at home, however. Nevertheless he secretly induced the States-General to send the Insinuation to Charles, beseeching the king to prevent any Catholics from succeeding him, though not naming James explicitly. Receiving indignant reactions from Charles and James, William denied any involvement. Download high resolution version (800x1008, 97 KB)By Peter Lely. ... Download high resolution version (800x1008, 97 KB)By Peter Lely. ... Sir Peter Lely (14 September 1618 - 30 November 1680) was a painter of Dutch origin. ... During the reign of Charles II of England, the Exclusion Bill crisis ran from 1678 till 1681. ... Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (1640 - September 28, 1702) was an English statesman and nobleman. ...

In 1684, William bought a manor, today called Het Loo, near Apeldoorn and had it rebuilt into a palace. The garden and the palace were decorated by Romeyn de Hooghe and Daniel Marot. In 1685, when James II ascended, William at first attempted conciliatory approach with James, whom he hoped would join the League of Augsburg, whilst at the same time trying not to offend the Protestants in England. At the time William and Mary were still direct heirs. But by 1687, it became clear that James would not join the League and in November his wife Mary of Modena was announced to be pregnant. That month, to gain the favour of English Protestants, William wrote open letter to the English people in which he disapproved of James's religious policies. Seeing him as a friend, and often having maintained secret contacts with him for years, many English politicians began to negotiate an armed invasion of England. Het Loo and its gardens, more ambitious than they were actually executed, in an early 18th century engraving (watercolor added) The former royal residence Het Loo near Apeldoorn, Netherlands, was built starting in 1684 for the Stadtholder Willem, known to English-language readers as William III of Orange and his... Satellite picture Apeldoorn ( (help· info)) is a municipality and a town in the province of Gelderland, about 60 miles east of Amsterdam, in central Netherlands. ... Romeyn de Hooghe (1645–1708) was an important and prolific late Dutch Baroque engraver and caricaturist in the 17th century. ... Daniel Marot (1661-1752) was a French Protestant, an architect, furniture designer and engraver at the forefront of the classicizing Late Baroque Louis XIV style. ... Mary of Modena (October 5, 1658 – May 7, 1718) was the queen consort of King James II of England. ... An open letter is a letter that is intended to be read by a wide audience, or a letter intended for an individual, but that is nonetheless widely distributed intentionally. ...

Glorious Revolution

Main article: Glorious Revolution

The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of King James II of England (VII of Scotland) in 1688 by a union of Parliamentarians and the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau (William of Orange), who as a result ascended the English throne as William...

Invasion of England

William at first opposed the prospect of invasion, but in April 1688, when England concluded a naval agreement with France, began to assemble an expeditionary force. Still, he was hesitant about such an operation, believing that the English people would not react well to a foreign invader. He therefore in April demanded in a letter to Rear-Admiral Arthur Herbert that the most eminent English Protestants first invite him to invade. In June, James II's second wife, Mary of Modena,