(Here's a slightly edited copy of a post of mine from another (non-numismatic) site. I thought the numismatists here would appreciate my medal below): December 28 is a sad day for those of us who respect and admire the person who is one of the Three Kingdoms’ greatest monarchs and certainly the most beautiful—Mary II. She died on this day in 1694 at the age of 32 from smallpox, a frequent killer in that period. (Smallpox is a contagious disease usually causing mutilating blisters over most the body with at least a 25% mortality. Its survivors are left with horrible scars and even blindness.) Mary is both the most unappreciated and underestimated of all the great Monarchs. She must have been an impressive sight, however. She was 5’11” (180 cm) tall, athletic, and attractively built. With her grace and outgoing nature, she guided her socially awkward and detached Dutch husband William III, helping to bring respect and legitimacy to their reign. Mary’s influence on her husband should not be underestimated. Deprived of Mary’s wisdom, warmth, and advice after her death, William’s popularity and image quickly suffered as a result of his poor policy decisions and an image only made worse by his cold and aloof personality. Mary’s beauty and dignity brought calm to a people still riven by dissent and suspicion. Her courage and inspirational leadership during the spring of 1692 helped to steady the wavering loyalties of the vacillating English navy commanders, assuring the great success against the French at the Battle of La Hogue. She was forced to reject her family, including her father and even her sister Anne, when she thought they threatened the freedoms of her people. Unlike many royals today, whose reputation is more media fabrication than reality, Mary truly earned the love and respect of her subjects. Mary grew from a reserved Stuart princess into a beloved Monarch who fearlessly defended her people’s quest for freedom. With her reign, the Three Kingdoms shook off the shackles of the antiquated concept of an autocratic monarch’s divine right to rule and entered into the modern era of enlightenment. Even as a staunch anti-monarchist, I am can find only respect and sorrow for this most beautiful of Queens. She was truly the people’s Queen. A commemorative medal struck at the time of her passing: guy
