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Mary II (30 April 1662 – 28 December 1694) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, co-reigning with her husband, King William III and II, from 1689 until her death in 1694. She was also Princess of Orange following her marriage on 4 November 1677.
Apr 30, 2024 · Mary II, queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1689–94) and wife of King William III. As the daughter of King James II, she made it possible for her Dutch husband, the stadholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, to become coruler of England with her after he overthrew James’s government.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Sep 12, 2022 · Queen Mary II of England was known for ruling jointly with her husband William III of England after the Glorious Revolution, which peacefully replaced James II. Why did William and Mary rule together?
- Mark Cartwright
u. v. w. x. y. z. Mary II © The daughter of James II, Mary and her husband William of Orange became co-rulers of England after the 'Glorious Revolution'. Mary was born on 30 April 1662, the...
- She was an avid learner. As a young girl, Mary learned the languages of English, Dutch and French and was described by her tutor as ‘an absolute mistress’ of the French language.
- She married her first cousin, William of Orange. Mary was the daughter of James, Duke of York, son of Charles I. William of Orange was the only son of William II, Prince of Orange, and Mary, Princess Royal, daughter of King Charles I. The future King and Queen William and Mary were, therefore, first cousins.
- She wept when she was told William would be her husband. Although King Charles II was keen on the marriage, Mary was not. Her sister, Anne, called William ‘Caliban’ as his physical appearance (blackened teeth, a hooked nose and short stature) resembled the monster in Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
- Her father became king but was overthrown by her husband. Charles II died in 1685 and Mary’s father became King James II. However, in a country that had become largely Protestant, James’ religious policies were unpopular.
Following the Glorious Revolution and her father’s flight to the continent, in 1689 she was crowned Joint Sovereign of Great Britain with her husband William III. Along with William III, Mary embarked on furnishing the newly-enlarged palaces of Hampton Court and Kensington.
As the snow began to fall, they followed an open purple-draped chariot drawn by six horses onto the street. Over 500 members of Parliament as well as various city and court officials walked behind the hearse that carried the body of their much-beloved queen, Mary II.
