10/03/2026
The Death of William of Orange
Due to his lifelong struggle with asthma, the heavy burden of protecting the free world from the intentions of Louis XIV of France, frequent military campaigns and endless affairs of state, William of Orange found his health under severe pressure even though he was only in his early fifties. In the year 1701, after a prolonged bout of ill health and oedema of his legs, the King recovered sufficiently to feel ready to enjoy some outdoor exercise.
Richmond Park was the chosen venue and the form of exercise was a ride through the park on his favourite horse Sorrel. Feeling the freedom and exhilaration of galloping in the open air, after a long confinement, was soon brought to an end when Sorrel's foot caught on a mole hill and he crashed to the ground. The King's right shoulder was broken and he had to be taken for treatment to Hampton Court. From there he was transferred back home to Kensington Palace.
On March 3rd 1702, William of Orange felt well enough to be up and about and enjoy the early Springtime sights in the Palace grounds. He decided to sit a while by a large open window and drink in the rare opportunity of sunshine in London at that time of year. He drifted off to sleep in his chair and when he woke, he found the sun had gone and he was freezing with cold. The following day William developed a bad cough and a high temperature and was violently sick due to a chest infection.
The King continued to receive those who were attending to his affairs of state but it was clear to his friends and his Dutch doctor, Govart Bidloo, that he was not for long in this world as pneumonia had set in. The Archbishop and Bishop Burnet of Salisbury sat by William and prayed with him and remarked upon his peaceful demeanour and clarity of thought and mind even though he was desperately ill.
On the evening of the 8th March 1702, King William of Orange had been struggling to breathe and was barely conscious. By eight o'clock, surrounded by his dearest friends, his final battle ended and his mighty heart stopped beating. He exchanged the palaces of this world for Heavenly ones and went to meet the God he had served so faithfully.
Those tasked with preparation of the King's frail body for burial were moved to discover a lock of his wife Mary's hair and her gold wedding ring, fastened to his left arm with a black silk ribbon.
The funeral of this great warrior King was held on 12th April without much pomp and his coffin placed in a tomb in Westminster Abbey. To the very end it was evident that although William of Orange was much loved by the ordinary people of Britain, he was disliked and often ridiculed by the elites of his day. His popularity is evidenced by the large number of William III memorabilia from within the population that has survived from the time of his reign. The Irish of course raised a glass "to the little gentleman in black velvet" referring to the mole who had dug the hole that caused Sorrel to fall.
"In Holland he was a Prince among republicans.
In Europe he was a republican among monarchs.
In England he was Dutch William.
In Holland he was half English.
In England he was a Presbyterian among Anglicans.
In Holland and in Scotland he was an Episcopalian among Presbyterians.
To the Puritans he was too worldly.
To the Whitehall rakes he was too puritanical.
To the Whigs he was in the Stuart line of descent.
To the Torys he had usurped the rightful Stuarts."
But to we, the Ulster British, he will always be held in glorious and immortal memory and respected and cherished as our very own " King Billy" who crossed the Boyne and broke the Gaelic Irish yoke about our necks and saved us from extinction.
