Full name:  Mary II Born:  30th April 1662 Place of Birth:  St James's Palace, London Ascended to the throne:  13th February 1689, aged 26 years Crowned:  11th April 1689, at Westminster Abbey Reign:  5 years Died:  28th December 1694, Kensington Palace, London

Mary was born on 30th April 1689, the eldest daughter of James, Duke of York.

Her father converted to Catholicism, but she was raised protestant.

In 1677, she married her cousin William, Prince of Orange and moved to the Netherlands to be with him.

Her father became king in 1685, but his Catholic policies were unpopular, and England was in crisis. When his second wife gave birth to a boy, it was feared England would be under the rule of another Catholic leader. William of Orange was invited to England to take the throne, and arrived with an army.

James deserted the kingdom, and it was decided he abdicated the throne. In 1689, Mary and William were offered the chance to become the first joint monarchs.

They limited any future rulers' abuse of power with the Bill of Rights in 1689. This meant that parliament were furthermore in control of tax and legislation.

Whilst William was away directing military campaigns, Mary ruled over England. She ruled under her husband's advice, and happily gave him control when he came back.

Mary died in 1694, leaving William to rule alone.