Coat of Arms of William III Prince of Orange

17th - 18th century unknown

carved wood, gilt, paint, metal relief

c.1694 - 1702
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  • About the work

    This 17th century carved, painted and gilt wood shows the coat of arms of King William III (1689-1702). A rampant lion and a unicorn are supporting the central cartouche with the Duke of Nassau’s escutcheon (a shield or emblem bearing a coat of arms) which is surrounded by the mottos in French:  'HONI.SOIT.QUI.MAL.Y.PENSE' (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), and 'DIEU.EST.MON.DROIT' (God and my right).


    William III was born in The Hague in the Netherlands in 1650. He was the son of William II and Mary, the eldest daughter of Charles I of England. Together with his wife Mary II, William became monarch of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1689 during a time known as ‘The Glorious Revolution’.  William introduced Protestantism in Britain by winning the Battle of the Boyne against the catholic James II on 1 July 1690. He also commissioned Christopher Wren to rebuild Hampton Court. He died in 1702 without an heir. 


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    Materials & Techniques
    paint, wood carving, relief (art object)
  • Details
    Title
    Coat of Arms of William III Prince of Orange
    Date
    c.1694 - 1702
    Medium
    carved wood, gilt, paint, metal relief
    Acquisition
    Transferred from HM Revenue and Customs, October 2020
    GAC number
    18890