William III

William III (Willem) was stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel, prince of Orange, and king and co-monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland through his wife Mary.

History

William was born days after his father, William II, died. As a result, he was prince of Orange from birth. Importantly though, William's death began the First Stadtholderless Period.

France and England had concluded the Secret Treaty of Dover seeking to convert the Dutch Republic into a puppet state. Charles revealed these plans in the hope that William would be intimidated into a preemptive surrender. William countered with promises to ally with England if the provinces were compelled to appoint him as stadtholder. Ultimately the Third Anglo-Dutch War and France-Dutch War would begin in 1672.

A series of early defeats led to the collapse of De Witt's government, while marshaling the defense as captain-general made William popular and powerful. Holland and Zeeland now appointed him as stadtholder.

Reign

With William now serving now as stadtholder, Charles II offered a surrender that would raise him to prince over a puppet state. He again refused.

By 1675 he had reclaimed most of the Netherlands, and been appointed stadtholder by Utrecht, Gelderland, and Overijssel. Peace would finally be agreed through the Treaties of Nijmegen in August 1678.

Amid the war, William married Charles' niece Mary. At this time, her father's rights to succeed were challenged through the Exclusion Crisis. Together, and as protestants, William and Mary presented a compelling alternative claimant to the throne. James did succeed the throne in 1685, but his reign was immediately plagued by unrest. Just months after peace was achieved on the continent, William landed an army in November. After failing to rally his own army, James fled to France. This Glorious Revolution crowned William and Mary as co-monarchs over England, Scotland, and Ireland.

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