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William and Mary as joint monarchs

Study note

After James II fled, William of Orange did not rule alone. He became king as William III and governed jointly with his wife Mary, who was the daughter of the Catholic king James II he had replaced. So when you are asked which queen ruled alongside William, the answer is Mary, not Anne, Victoria or Elizabeth.

Their joint reign mattered for more than the names involved. At their coronation a document called the Declaration of Rights was read out. It set out new limits on what the monarch was allowed to do, signalling that the king and queen would no longer hold the unchecked power that earlier rulers had claimed. This idea was soon confirmed in law by the Bill of Rights of 1689.

Memory tip: William III + Mary rule jointly; a Declaration of Rights is read at their coronation.

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Question 1 of 2

William of Orange ruled jointly with which queen after 1688?

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Show all questions and answers for William and Mary as joint monarchs(2 questions with explanations)

William and Mary as joint monarchs: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. William of Orange ruled jointly with which queen after 1688?

    • Elizabeth
    • Mary
    • Victoria
    • Anne

    Correct answer: Mary

    William III ruled jointly with his wife Mary, daughter of James II.

  2. 2. A Declaration of Rights was read out at the coronation of William and Mary.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. The Declaration of Rights set out limits on the monarch's power.

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