Cultural Commentary. * William of Orange - William III & II (1650 – 1702) was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth

* William of Orange - William III & II (1650 – 1702) was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth.

A Protestant, William participated in several wars against the powerful Catholic king of France, Louis XIV, in coalition with Protestant and Catholic powers in Europe. Many Protestants heralded him as a champion of their faith. Largely because of that reputation, William was able to take the British crowns when many were fearful of a revival of Catholicism under James. William's victory over James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 is still commemorated by the Orange Order. His reign marked the beginning of the transition from the personal rule of the Stuarts to the more Parliament-centred rule of the House of Hanover.

*Glorious Revolution -Glorious Revolution in English history, the events of 1688-89 that resulted in the deposition of James II and the accession of William III and Mary II to the English throne. It is also called the Bloodless Revolution. (The History Today Companion to BRITISH HISTORY – London: Collins & Brown Limited, 1995 – 840 pp)

*Jacobites - Jacobitism was the underground cultural and dynastic movement that supported the restoration of the main line of the Stuart dynasty to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

(The History Today Companion to BRITISH HISTORY – London: Collins & Brown Limited, 1995 – 840 pp)