Pushed from infancy to reclaim his family’s political clout, William of Orange devoted his life to the pursuit of power—and he far exceeded his family’s expectations. It takes a special kind of ruthless to come out of left field and take the thrones of England, Ireland, and Scotland for yourself. Love him or hate him, the controversial reign of King William III was definitely one for the ages. 1. His Birth Followed A Family TragedySadly, William III entered the world with a black mourning cloth already draped over his cradle. Born in The Hague in the Dutch Republic on November 4, 1650, he was …