William III, Prince of Orange, Arriving at Brixham, c.1688-99 (oil on canvas)

In 1688 on the I November (Julian calendar, used in England) or 11 November (Gregorian calendar, used on the Continent) William III set out from Helvoetsluis with a force of five hundred ships and 14,000 men in order to conquer Britain. He arrived on 5th/15th November at Brixham, the event depicted in this painting. He came at the invitation of a group of Whig noblemen, determined to depose the Catholic James II and create a constitutional monarchy, which is why his progress to London was virtually bloodless. He was crowned there on 21 April 1689, jointly with his Queen, Mary II, daughter of James II. William III (1650-1702) King of England, Scotland and Ireland.