Mary II

lived from 1662-94 and was the eldest child of James II and his first wife Lady Anne Hyde.

Although her parents were Catholics, Mary was brought up a Protestant and married William of Orange (later William III), her cousin, in 1677. As Mary's father tried to re-catholise England more and more, Mary and William were asked for help. Thus William "invaded" England on November the 5th in 1688. In 1689, Mary became Queen, joint sovereign with her husband respectively. She acted as William's mouthpiece in his European absences and had great influence concerning e.g. ecclesiastical issues.

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sources: The Companion to British History; Encyclopaedia Britannica ([1])