Koning Willem III en koningin Maria ontvangen de kroon van Schotland en leggen de eed af, 1689 1711

This engraving, created by an anonymous artist in 1689, depicts William III and Queen Mary receiving the Scottish crown. This event marks a pivotal moment in British history, following the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Note the power dynamics at play; with representatives kneeling before the new monarchs offering the crown. The image speaks to the transfer of authority and the negotiation of power between Scotland and the newly instated English rulers. Consider how gender is visualized here. As a female monarch, Mary's position challenges traditional patriarchal structures, yet she rules jointly with William, complicating conventional notions of female power. This reflects a shift but not a dismantling of gender roles in governance. This print captures a moment of political transition, one that invites us to reflect on the complexities of power, gender, and national identity in the shaping of British history.