In England the attempt of James II to bring about a Catholic reaction by the arbitrary use of the royal prerogative was rapidly alienating the loyalty of all classes, including many men of high position, and even some of his own ministers.  William watched keenly all that was going on and kept himself in close correspondence with several of the principal malcontents.  He was well aware that all eyes were turning to him (and he accepted the position) as the natural defender, should the need arise, of England’s civil and religious liberties.  The need arose and the call came in the summer of 1688, and it found William prepared.  The climax of the conflict between King James and his people was reached with the acquittal of the Seven Bishops in May, 1688, amidst public rejoicings, speedily followed on June 10 by the birth of a Prince of Wales.  The report was spread that the child was supposititious and it was accepted as true by large numbers of persons, including the Princess Anne, and also, on the strength of her testimony, by the Prince and Princess of Orange.

The secret relations of William with the leaders of opposition had for some time been carried on through his trusted confidants, Dijkveld, the State’s envoy at the English Court, and William of Nassau, lord of Zuilestein.  A bold step was now taken.  Several Englishmen of note signed an invitation to the prince to land in England with an armed force in defence of the religion and liberties of the country; and it was brought to him by Admiral Russell, one of the signatories.  After some hesitation William, with the consent and approval of the princess, decided to accept it.  No man ever had a more loyal and devoted wife than William III of Orange, and he did not deserve it.  For some years after his marriage he treated Mary with coldness and neglect.  He confessed on one occasion to Bishop Burnet that his churlishness was partly due to jealousy; he could not bear the thought that Mary might succeed to the English throne and he would in that country be inferior in rank to his wife.  The bishop informed the princess, who at once warmly declared that she would never accept the crown unless her husband received not merely the title of king, but the prerogatives of a reigning sovereign.  From that time forward a complete reconciliation took place between them, and the affection and respect of William for this loyal, warm-hearted and self-sacrificing woman deepened as the years went on.  Mary’s character, as it is revealed in her private diaries, which have been preserved, deserves those epithets.  Profoundly religious and a convinced Protestant, Mary with prayers for guidance and not without many tears felt that the resolve of her husband to hazard all on armed intervention in England was fully justified; and at this critical juncture she had no hesitation in allowing her sense of duty to her husband and her country to override that of a daughter to her father.  Already in July vigorous preparations in all secrecy began