William III of Orange Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Invitation of the Immortal Seven

William III of Orange receives the invitation from seven leading English opponents of James II asking him to intervene with military support.

States General Support

The States General formally supports the expedition of William III of Orange, presenting the intervention as necessary for Dutch security and Protestant interests.

Role range: 1688-1691

Declaration of Reasons

William III of Orange publishes a declaration explaining his intervention as a defence of Protestant religion, English liberties and a free Parliament.

Landing at Torbay

William III of Orange lands with his army at Torbay, beginning the military phase of the Glorious Revolution in England.

Role range: 1688-1691

Entry into Exeter

William III of Orange enters Exeter and establishes a major early base for his advance across southern England.

Role range: 1688-1691

Advance to Salisbury

William III of Orange reaches the Salisbury area as defections and declining confidence weaken the position of James II.

Role range: 1688-1691

Fleet Sails for England

William III of Orange sails from the Dutch Republic with a large invasion fleet and army bound for England.

Role range: 1688-1691

Negotiations at Hungerford

William III of Orange receives commissioners representing James II and answers proposals for a negotiated political settlement.

Arrival in London

William III of Orange enters London after James II loses effective control of the capital.

Peers Summoned

William III of Orange summons leading peers to advise on government and the constitutional crisis following James II's departure.

Meeting of the Peers

William III of Orange addresses a large meeting of peers assembled to consider how England should be governed until a national settlement is reached.

Former MPs Summoned

William III of Orange summons former members of Charles II's Parliaments and representatives of the City of London to advise on calling a Convention.

Temporary Administration

English political leaders ask William III of Orange to administer public affairs until the Convention meets.

Convention Ordered

William III of Orange authorizes preparations for a Convention that will determine the future government and succession.

Glorious Revolution

The Glorious Revolution removes James II and creates the political settlement under which William III of Orange and Mary will rule with a stronger parliamentary role.

Coup

William III of Orange leads the Dutch-backed intervention that helps remove James II from power and opens the way to a new English settlement.

Role range: 1689-1702

Succession

After James II's flight, William III of Orange and Mary are offered the English crown jointly.

Role range: 1689-1702

Convention Parliament

The Convention Parliament meets to determine the constitutional settlement following James II's departure.

Role range: 1689-1702

Abdication Resolution

The Convention resolves that James II has abdicated, clearing the constitutional path for William III of Orange and Mary to receive the crown.

Role range: 1689-1702

Declaration of Rights

William III of Orange and Mary accept the Declaration of Rights when the English crown is offered to them.

Role range: 1689-1702

Joint Reign Begins

William III of Orange begins his joint reign with Mary after they accept the English crown offered by the Convention.

Role range: 1689-1702

Succession

William III of Orange accepts the English crown jointly with Mary after Parliament declares that James II has abdicated.

Role range: 1689-1702

Revised Coronation Oath

At his coronation, William III of Orange swears the revised oath to govern according to statutes agreed in Parliament.

Role range: 1689-1702

Coronation

William III of Orange and Mary II are crowned jointly at Westminster Abbey as King and Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Role range: 1689-1702

Declaration of War

William III of Orange's government declares war on France as the Nine Years' War expands into an English war against Louis XIV.

Role range: 1688-1697 – 1689-1702

Scottish Crown Accepted

William III of Orange and Mary accept the Scottish crown after the Convention of Estates offers it to them.

Role range: 1689-1702

Toleration Act

William III of Orange gives assent to legislation allowing most Protestant dissenters to worship publicly under specified conditions.

Role range: 1689-1702

Schomberg Sent to Ireland

William III of Orange sends the Duke of Schomberg with a major army to oppose the Jacobite regime supporting James II in Ireland.

Role range: 1688-1691 – 1689-1702

Bill of Rights Enacted

William III of Orange gives royal assent to the Bill of Rights, placing major limits on arbitrary royal power and confirming parliamentary liberties.

Role range: 1689-1702

Grand Alliance Treaty

William III of Orange joins England and the Dutch Republic with the Habsburg monarchy in the Grand Alliance against Louis XIV's France.

Role range: 1688-1697 – 1689-1702

Move to Kensington Palace

William III of Orange and Mary move into the newly enlarged Kensington Palace, which provides a healthier residence close to Westminster.

Role range: 1689-1702

Constitution of England

William III of Orange and Mary accept the Declaration of Rights, establishing a settlement in which the monarchy must govern within law and Parliament's authority.

Role range: 1689-1702

Coronation Oath Act

William III of Orange assents to the statutory form of the coronation oath that binds future monarchs more explicitly to government under law.

Role range: 1689-1702

Mutiny Act

William III of Orange assents to the Mutiny Act, reinforcing the principle that military discipline and a standing army depend on parliamentary authorization.

Role range: 1689-1702

Presbyterian Settlement in Scotland

William III of Orange recognizes the Presbyterian Church settlement in Scotland as part of the post-revolution political order.

Role range: 1689-1702

Declaration of Rights

The Declaration of Rights forms the basis of the political settlement that recognizes William III of Orange and Mary as joint monarchs.

Role range: 1689-1702

Hampton Court Rebuilding

William III of Orange commissions Sir Christopher Wren to begin a major rebuilding campaign at Hampton Court Palace.

Role range: 1689-1702

Kensington Residence Acquired

William III of Orange and Mary acquire Nottingham House and commission its rapid transformation into Kensington Palace.

Role range: 1689-1702

Reform of Parliament

The new settlement prevents the Crown from suspending laws without parliamentary authority and strengthens Parliament's constitutional position.

Role range: 1689-1702

Grand Alliance

William III of Orange helps bring England, the Dutch Republic and other powers into the Grand Alliance against France.

Role range: 1688-1697 – 1689-1702