The reign of Mary II was popularly known as the joint monarchy of ?William and Mary?. Though Mary
ruled Great Britain along with her husband, she was comparatively less in authority than her
husband. Mary, a Protestant by birth ascended to the throne after the break out of the Global
Revolution that exiled her father. 

Mary was born on 30 April 1662 at St. James Palace in London. She was born to the Duke of York and
Lady Anne Hyde, his first wife. Mary was the eldest of their daughters. Mary and her younger sister
Anne are the two who made it to adulthood, while the others of eight children passed away. 
 
Even though, the Duke of York decided to be a Roman Catholic for the rest of his life, Mary and Anne
were brought up as Protestants. Charles II, Mary?s uncle was very particular about the girls?
upcoming as Protestants. In 1673, Mary?s father remarried a catholic Mary of Modena after his wife?s
death on 1671.  
 
Mary got engaged to a Protestant William, The Prince of Orange at the age of fifteen. Her father was
very much interested in getting her married to a French Catholic, Dauphin Louis who was the heir to
French throne.  The partnership with the Catholic French turning unfavorable and with the pressure
from the parliament he agreed for the wedding. Gaining popularity among the Protestants was another
factor for his agreement on this wedding. 

Mary was engaged to her first cousin William and they got married on 4 November, 1677. Her marriage
took place under much pressure and she was found weeping throughout the ceremony. Although Mary was
not happy initially and found him disgusting, she slowly started falling in love with him and his
country. 

Her vibrant nature and friendly approach made her extremely popular amidst the Dutch people. But
William was always drawn on his own lines from getting along with people. Despite the frequent
feeling of unhappiness about her marriage, she was very devoted to her husband. 
 
His affair with Elizabeth Villiers, one of Mary?s ladies in waiting made her take much deep care on
her duties as William?s wife. Her life with William was mostly unhappy, and one of the reasons being
that she had three miscarriages and her childlessness added to her worry. 
The Duke of York (later James II & Mary?s father) ascended to the throne on the death of her uncle
Charles II. His attempt to passing a religious policy landed him in big trouble. James II attempted
to give freedom of choice of religion to the non-Anglicans, but was not supported by the people. The
situation got worse when Mary of Modena gave birth to his son James Francis Edward. 

On a secret request from the Immortal Seven and following Mary?s promise of making him the king,
William decided to invade England. While the first attempt of invasion failed on 11 December 1688,
the second one on 23 December was successful. James II was exiled to France where he lived until his
death. 

Though Mary was not happy with what had happened to her father she was criticized by him assuming
that she was disloyal to her father. Though William was jealous of Mary he always believed and
relied on her. Her reign was also firm while her husband was fighting the Jacobites punishing her
uncle who planned to restore James II to throne. 

Mary II ruled England from 1689 until she died of small pox on 28 December 1694 at Kensington
Palace.