FEBRUARY 13

There is an old and prestigious university in Virginia known as the College of  William & Mary.  It was founded in 1693.  It is the second oldest institution of higher education in the United States.  Did you ever wonder who these people, William and Mary, were?

Well, William and Mary were joint monarchs of England; ruling over England, Scotland, and Ireland from  this date in 1689 until each died.   These were the last of joint monarchs for England - sometimes a King and sometimes a Queen but never again a joint monarchy.

This William is William III - aka William of Orange - he died in 1702 at the age of 51 (pneumonia). Mary is Mary II -  his wife - 12 years his junior and . . . tada! . . . his first cousin. Mary had a miscarriage but no children.  Whew!  She died of small pox in 1694.

They took the throne 328 years ago today.
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