"The liberties of England and the Protestant

religion I will maintain."

William III on landing in England to take the crown from Catholic James II

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It was during their reign that the important Bill of Rights (1689) was passed. This limited the power of the monarch considerably, increased the power of Parliament, and made it illegal for a British King or Queen to be a Roman Catholic, or even to marry one. This was disastrous both socially and politically for Catholics, they were denied the right to vote and sit in Parliament for over 100 years, ensuring Protestant succession.

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Mary loved her husband, but failed to produce an heir. She would remain childless and her husband would turn to another woman, Betty Villiers.  Heartbroken, she died of smallpox in 1694, leaving William to rule alone.  On his deathbed, courtiers said, "he was wearing Mary's wedding ring and a lock of her hair close to his heart."

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"From being the happiest of men I shall now be the miserablest creature on earth"

William III on the death of Mary II  

Reigned from 1689 - 1702 • King and Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland

Photo: Sir James Thornhilld/Wikimedia • Believed to be in the Public Domain (Age - Copyright expired)