Stadtholder William III "King Billy"
William of Orange, born in The Hague, the 14th of 1650, son of Regent Willem II and Maria Stuart I, daughter of the English Charles I. Willem III became known as a cold and calculating man, but was a skilled diplomat and general. His period of reign has been of great importance of the monarchy.
In, "disaster-year" 1672, England declared war to the republic of the 7 provinces. In April followed by France, Munster and Cologne. Strong military leadership was needed. Because of this prince William made stadtholder in July 1672 thus ending the regency-less era. William fought the French with much success. This resulted in peace offers from Louis XIV, but these were not accepted by Prince William and the "Staten-Generaal". There wss also a lot of turbulence amongst the people of Holland. Orange had the upper hand again and those who were not in favour had to be careful; the 20th of Augustus 1672 government-councillor John de Witt (who resigned from office already) and his brother Cornelius were lynched by an infuriated crowd by at "Prisoners gate" in The Hague. They were accused of high treason against Prince William.
The Peace with England was made on the 19th February 1674 (Peace of Westminster). The war had become to expensive for England and its government stoped spending money. On the 22nd of April 1674 the "Peace of Munster" was signed followed by the Peace with Cologne on May 11th, 1674. Only the war with France continued.
In order to strengthen the relation with England, William married in 1677 the 15 year old English princess Mary Stuart II, daughter of the future English king James II. Under Pressure of the alliance, and the diplomatic skills of William III, Louis XIV of France had to accept a peace offer from the Netherlands. France had to return the conquered southern provinces and the trading ban on France is lifted.
In 1688 the English protestants asked William III to expel their king (his father in law), James II, since he would be too pro-catholic. With a force of 15.000 soldiers he landed on the 5th of November 1688 at Torbay. The majority of the English nobility joined William III and James II is forced to flee to France. To have more power over the Catholics William refuses to rule over England as "Prince Married to the Queen", after approval from the Parliament "William and Mary" are crowned king and queen of England. Louis XIV reacted by declaring war to England and the Dutch Republic . The Scottish parliament accepted the new rulers. catholic Ireland had to be "convinced" with force. this happens in 1690 with the Battle of the Boyne, where James II and his French-Irish army are defeated.
William III died on the 29th of March 1702 of injuries caused by a fall of a horse at Hampton Court. By lack children he was succeeded by queen Anna his sister in law. He caused quite a stir with his will by leaving all his possessions fl 800.000 to his remote cousin John William Friso. The stadtholder of Friesland was only 15 years of age. The majority of the districts think it better not to appoint him as Regent and so the 2nd regent-less era commences.
In 1747 France became threatening again and the republic appeals on another Orange-monarch : The de Fries' stadholder William IV, son of the above John William Friso, was appointed to regent.