William
III and II (14 November 1650–8 March 1702
was also known as William Henry and William of Orange) was Prince of
Orange from his birth. He became King of England and Ireland from 13 February 1689, and King of Scotland from 11 April
1689, in each case until his death.
He
won the English, Scottish and Irish Crown following the Glorious Revolution, during which his uncle and father-in-law, James
II, was deposed. In England, Scotland and Ireland, 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.
William
was appointed to the Dutch post of Stadtholder on 28 June 1672, and remained in office until he died.
A Protestant,
William participated in many wars with the powerful Roman Catholic King of France, Louis XIV. He was heralded by many as a
champion of Protestantism; it was partly due to such a reputation that he was able to take the Crown of England, many of whose
people were fervent anti-Catholics.
