British Queens

Queens of the Great Britain

Article 3

Queen Mary II

Mary II, also known as queen Mary II, was the co-ruler of England, Scotland and Ireland alongside her husband, William III, from 1689 until her death in 1694. She was born on April 30, 1662, in London, England, and was the daughter of king James II and his first wife, Anne Hyde. Mary’s reign is often referred to as the William and Mary period or the Glorious Revolution.

Here`s a snapshot of Mary II:

Mary II came to the throne through the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw her father, King James II, being overthrown due to his Catholicism and the desire for protestant rule. Mary and her husband, William of Orange, were invited by English parliament to take the throne.

She married her cousin, William of Orange, in 1677. Their marriage was initially on of convenience, but they grew to have a strong and affectionate partnership. As co- monarchs, they ruled jointly and shared responsibilities of governance.

Mary was staunch protestant and played a crucial role in securing the protestant succession to the English throne. Her ascension to the throne marked a significant victory for Protestantism and parliamentary power over absolute monarchy.

During her reign, Mary faced challenges such as the war of the Grand Alliance against France and conflict with her father, James II, who sought to regain the throne, however, her reign was relatively short and focused primarily on consolidating the changes brought about by the Glorious Revolution.

She is remembered for her role in the passing of the Bill of Right in 1689, which limited the power of the monarchy, affirmed parliamentary authority, and guaranteed certain individuals rights. The Bill of Right laid the foundation for constitutional monarchy in England.

Mary was well regarded for her intelligence, piety, and moral character. She was respected as a queen who sought to govern in the best interests of her subjects and played an important role in shaping the transition to a more constitutional monarchy.

Tragically, Mary`s reign was cut short when she died of smallpox on December 28, 1694, at the age of 32. Her husband William III, continued to rule as a sole monarch until his death in 1702.

Mary II`s reign was pivotal moment in English history, as it marked a shift towards constitutional monarchy and parliamentary governance. Her contribution to securing Protestantism and upholding the rights of the English people continue to be recognized and appreciated.