William III of England
William III of England, also known as William of Orange, was born on November 4, 1650 in The Hague, Netherlands. He was a Protestant and became the Stadtholder (or head of state) of the Dutch Republic in 1672. He married Mary, the Protestant daughter of James II of England, in 1677. In 1688, William and Mary led the Glorious Revolution, which saw them overthrow James II and ascend to the throne of England. They ruled jointly until Mary's death in 1694, after which William ruled alone. William was a successful military leader and defended the Netherlands against the French and the English against the French in several wars. William was also a supporter of religious toleration and allowed Jews to settle in England. He established the Bank of England and supported the economic growth of the country. Although he faced opposition from some political factions, William is generally remembered as a successful monarch who helped to defend England against its enemies and modernize its economy. William III died on March 19, 1702, from complications after a fall from his horse.
