Mary (1662–1694), daughter of James, Duke of York, heir to the English throne, then 15, is said to have wept for a day and a half when she was told she was to marry her cousin, William (1650–1702), son of William II of Orange (1626–50), Stadtholder of the Dutch republic, and Mary, eldest daughter of Charles I of England, who was 11 years older than her. In November 1677, on William's 27th birthday, they married in a private ceremony at St James's Palace. William was solemn, James gloomy, Mary in tears, and only King Charles appeared cheerful. This dual biography deals with both the life and times of the monarchs, and with England's place in Europe. Interests of the subjects, outside the constitutional, are dealt with, as well a their personal relationships: William's rumored homosexuality (probably actually a platonic relationship with Bentinck) and Mary's hinted-at lesbianism; Mary's troubled personal relations with her father, James II; and the relationship between Mary and her sister and husband's successor Anne. The book will also examine the personal and political relations between William and his uncle Charles II, and between William and Mary and Charles' illegitimate son the Duke of Monmouth, whose attempts to lay claim to his father's throne ended in defeat and execution.

Mary (1662–1694), daughter of James, Duke of York, heir to the English throne, then 15, is said to have wept for a day and a half when she was told she was to marry her cousin, William (1650–1702), son of William II of Orange (1626–50), Stadtholder of the Dutch republic, and Mary, eldest daughter of Charles I of England, who was 11 years older than her. In November 1677, on William's 27th birthday, they married in a private ceremony at St James's Palace. William was solemn, James gloomy, Mary in tears, and only King Charles appeared cheerful. This dual biography deals with both the life and times of the monarchs, and with England's place in Europe. Interests of the subjects, outside the constitutional, are dealt with, as well a their personal relationships: William's rumored homosexuality (probably actually a platonic relationship with Bentinck) and Mary's hinted-at lesbianism; Mary's troubled personal relations with her father, James II; and the relationship between Mary and her sister and husband's successor Anne. The book will also examine the personal and political relations between William and his uncle Charles II, and between William and Mary and Charles' illegitimate son the Duke of Monmouth, whose attempts to lay claim to his father's throne ended in defeat and execution.