The History of England

from Celts through 20th century

Posts Tagged ‘William III’

The New Regime

Category: 18th century

William III had to do much to secure his hold, not only upon England but upon Scotland and Ireland. In 1689 James II landed in Ireland, where he had an army ready to hand, and was easily able to stir up a national rising of the native Catholics against the Protestant “garrison”. In July 1690 […]



Robert Walpole, the First Prime Minister

Category: 18th century

The king could appoint any person he wished to his government. George I found it convenient to select influential members of Parliament to it. Such was the case of Robert Walpole.



From Limited Monarchy to Parliamentary Government

Category: 18th century

The first years of George I’s reign were marked by the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715 raised by followers of Queen Anne’s half-brother, James Edward Stuart. This prince is known as the Old Pretender because of his pretence to the throne.



Political Parties

Category: 18th century

The earliest political parties in Britain were infor­mal groups supporting powerful men in Parliament. By the time of the English Civil War (in the 1640′s) there were two parties in the country. The party sup­porting King Charles I was known as the Cavaliers, while their political opponents, the supporters of Par­liament, were called the Roundheads. […]



The Union between England and Scotland

Category: 18th century

Mary II and William III had no surviving children, and William was succeeded by Queen Anne, Mary’s younger sister. The major event of Queen Anne’s reign was the formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain.



The Great Wars of the Early 18th Century

Category: 18th century

The connection with Holland brought England into wars with France. These wars were fought under con­ditions created by two factors, the rising power of France and the rapid decomposition of the Spanish Empire.