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Trenholm 1
William of Orange and Why He Accepted the English Crown
David TrenholmDecember 4th, 2006HIST 2173 X1Dr. Gerry Gerrits
 
Trenholm 2The eve of the seventeenth century saw a concerned England—an England ruled by a Catholic and a Stuart, James II. James was a monarch who was distrusted by manyof his people due to his pro-Catholic beliefs, beliefs that had also caught the attention of the Stadtholder of the United Netherlands, William III of Orange. Many protestantEnglishmen were concerned and outright enraged by James II’s generosity directedtowards the Catholics of the nation—whether it be the unilateral repealing of laws thatinhibited Catholics, or the appointment of Catholics to positions of power within thegovernment.
1
James’ actions and the continual distrust of his nation’s politicianseventually led to the revolution of 1688, coined often as the “Glorious” or “Bloodless”Revolution, and even referred to as a “respectable” revolution by some.
2
Whatever nameone uses is irrelevant, but the true wonder of the revolution of 1688 was that it was,indeed, quite bloodless and non-violent—a stark contrast to England’s history of “revolutions”. James II’s growing support of Catholics, however, was hardly the solereason that drove William III to invade England. With the growing resentment towardsJames’ policies as voiced by parliament and indeed, the nation, William was beginning tofear a rebellion, and perhaps an end to the Stuart dynasty and with it his claim to theEnglish throne. James II was aging, and had not produced an heir to the throne—Mary, astaunch protestant, was next in line and the loyal wife of William. William knew that if hewished to secure his future at the head of the English nation, he would have to act soon.Growing concern of the French on the continent also compelled William to invade. LouisXIV, a strong Catholic, was of great concern to William, especially with Charles II’srecent dealing with the French nation still fresh in his mind. A victory in England, and
1
Maurice Ashley,
The Glorious Revolution of 1688.
(London: Hodder and Stoughton Limited, 1966), 89.
2
Lucile Pinkham,
William III and the Respectable Revolution.
(United States: Archon Books, 1969), 239.
 
Trenholm 3control of the English throne, would secure a unified alliance against France, somethingthat meant a great deal to the Stadtholder.Although quite Dutch, and indeed the face of the United Netherlands, William IIIwas also a Stuart, being a grandson of Charles I of England. His claim and connection tothe Stuarts of England, although remote, was still quite a certain fact. Being married toMary, the daughter of James II, made William third in line to the English throne. Maryhad promised William that he would “exercise actual executive power when she came tothe English throne.”
3
Considering this, then, William III was indeed the prospective heir to the throne, as James II was aging and without a son to be had. William had not beenlargely concerned with his disinheritance for the longest time, though, and was content tolet James reign to his death. While James’ pro-Catholic policies did indeed give him pause, it was not something he had intended to act on, as it did not affect his apparent andexpected ascension.
4
It wasn’t until the spring of 1688 did William’s concerns peak, andhe felt compelled to act. King James II’s wife, Mary of Modena, was apparently pregnant,and should the child be a son, Mary’s inheritance of the throne would be threatened.
5
James II had taken the position that his heir, a son, would carry on his pro-Catholic policies and Catholic regime, an unsettling notion. Further concerning the Stadtholder,rumours were afoot that James’ heir was indeed illegitimate, “Rumours that the new heir was actually suppositious (many said he had been smuggled into the birthing chamber ina warming pan) crystallized the threats to William’s position.”
6
It is no coincidence, then,that the Glorious Revolution of 1688 was planned and launched not a year after theannounced pregnancy of James’ wife and the celebrated perpetuation of his pro-Catholic
3
Tony Claydon,
William III: Profiles in Power 
. (London: Pearson Education Limited, 2002), 30
4
Claydon, 30.
5
Claydon, 31.
6
Claydon, 31.
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