Is William III of Orange the most important statesman in British history?

[julie09]

[Anonymous]

I think William III of England has a strong case for being one of the most consequential statesmen in British history, but calling him the most important is debatable.
William came to the English throne in 1689 alongside his wife, Mary II, following the Glorious Revolution of 1688. His reign helped reshape the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament and strengthened the constitutional settlement that developed in Britain. He also played a major role in European affairs, particularly in resisting the expansion of French power under Louis XIV.

[GothEgg]

I dont believe so. Certainly in Holland he was.

What reason would you say that?

[RavVid]

At least in the top tier of significance! I don't think one is absolutely above all the others. Alfred the Great was pretty significant in founding the nation.

Two very significant acts. He conceded the supremacy of parliament. Often gone unnoticed he brought some dutch notions in. One of those that gov't repaid it's debt.

That really changed things and would have ramifications in the Napoleonic Wars where English gold was important..

[NathanDavis]

even I had to go look up... "who the heck is this guy?"

so... obviously not

[RavVid]

Would King William and Queen Mary rung more bells? The Glorious Revolution 1688 ended the absolutist Stuarts. It ushered in parliamentary government, so that was a big deal. Also included the Bill of Rights which was inspiration to the US Bill of Rights.

William introduced the notion that gov't paid back debt which made loans to gov't assets instead of very dubious doubtful debts that certainly would not be repaid if the gov't lost a war.

William and Mary represent the initial beginning of modern gov't. It is Alfred the Great, William the Conqueror and William & Mary in some order

[Staximus]

He looks pretty fruity, I’m going with Winston Churchill

[GothEgg]

Winston Churchill's ancestor won the battle of blenheim for William of Orange over the french. A great victory up there with Waterloo.

[236color]

The Irish don't think so.

[jshm2]

LOL, no, not even close.

[Ai_oilman]

Yes because he is in orange that no one ever did.

[Anonymous]

Nope