William III (1650-1702), also known as William of Orange, became King of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1689. William was stadholder (governor) of the Netherlands when prominent English leaders became dissatisfied with King James II of England and invited William to intervene. William then invaded England and, without bloodshed, gained control of the country in what became popularly known as the Glorious Revolution. William also helped lead European opposition to King Louis XIV of France.