Draft:Dutch occupation of London

In 1688 William of Orange and his Dutch army invaded England with the aim of securing English military recources in the Nine Years' War. William of Orange conducted a landing at Brixham with an invasion force on November 5, 1688. Subsequently, he embarked on a six-week march to London, while the Royal army of James II disintegrated. He then placed London under occupation, starting 18 December 1688 until the spring of 1690 (18 months).

Invasion of London
Three battalions of the Dutch Blue Guards and supporting cavalry, under Count Solms, were sent ahead by William to secure London and entered the city on the night of the 17th. They secured the posts at St James's Palace without much difficulty and then marched to Whitehall in battle formation with matches lit for action. King James was going to bed around 23:00 when he heard of their precence in St James's Park. James thought that there was a mistake, because William hadn't informed him of this and so he sent a messenger to Solms. The Dutch general demanded that his troops would be allowed into Whitehall, but the king was unwilling to allow that. After arguing in vain James realised that he had little joice and he ordered his Coldstream Guards to leave the palace. William Craven, commander of those coldstream guard was offered a peaceful retirement by the Solms. However, Craven vehemently refused, saying that he would 'be rather cut in pieces, than resign his posts to the Prince's [Dutch] guards. James II, however, insisted and advised Craven to surrender. Subsequently the English guards withdrew from the palace, allowing the palace to be filled with Dutch troops.

and managed to Upon his prompt arrival, William issued his English troops to withdraw to a distance of at least 20 miles or more. Subsequently, he issued instructions for his three battalions of Dutch Blue Guards to secure Whitehall and, St James's, with the authorization to employ force should difficulties arise. At 10 o'clock in the evening, the Dutch Blue Guards successfully entered St James's Following the occupation of St James's, they were further directed to proceed to Whitehall. During the Takeover Palace of Whitehall by Count Solms, an intriguing exchange occurred with

James's own companies harbored suspicions toward the new sentinels, prompting them to seek assurance from James regarding the safety of him. In response, James, affected by the apathy induced by a series of disasters, remarked that the Dutch could scarcely treat him worse than his own subjects had. Advancing in a well-organized order of battle, illuminated by a march with lights, the Dutch Blue Guards secured poffefion, Hyde Park, and other strategic posts around Whitehall. Following the occupation of Whitehall, Westminster, and St James Palace, the Dutch forces, to the 'disgust of the English soldiers', proceeded to march into London. Subsequently, the Dutch troops dispersed throughout the suburbs, securing areas such as Chelsea, Kensington, and adjoining districts.The diarist John Evelyn, who was in London at this time said: "this poore nation reduc'd to" in expressing his dissatisfaction of England's swift conquest and the lack of opposition.

Occupation
London was now under Martial Law of the Dutch Army The largest Dutch regiments were stationed in Woolwich, Kensington, Chelsea, Paddington, and Richmond. Given the Dutch military occupation of London, numerous Dutch individuals migrated to or remained in England during this period. On December 17, William spent the night at Sion House, situated across the Thames from Kew. On December 18, he traveled to London in a carriage. Subsequently, there were loud acclamations from large numbers of people of various ranks, bells ringing throughout, and enthusiastic crowds displaying orange ribbons and waving sticks adorned with oranges. He proceeded through Knightsbridge along a two-mile-long route lined with Dutch Blue Guards. To avoid much of the crowd, William opted for a shortcut from Knightsbridge through St. James Park, eventually entering Whitehall Palace. While King James was initially instructed to go to Rochester on December 22, he discreetly exited through a backdoor, which William ordered to be left unguarded. He then boarded a boat that transported him to France. He took residence in the palace at St. Germain-en-Laye, where Louis XIV installed him and treated him with all due ceremony as a king. There was a notable increase in anti-Catholic sentiment. This sentiment gained momentum as Protestants perceived a resurgence of their influence, leading to instances where mobs openly insulted individuals adhering to the Catholic faith. William, who opposed this escalating hostility, responded by delivering a speech in which he articulated his desire to convene a free parliament. In the speech, he emphasized the importance of preserving the Protestant religion, reinstating the rights and liberties of the kingdom, and ensuring their stability to prevent future subversion. A substantial majority of the Lords expressed their support through their votes. In January 1689, a new parliament was elected. The newly established parliament, although formally constituted, faced limitations in its autonomy, as it accepted William as king he still made most of the decisions, even despite the dual rulership with Mary, William retained a predominant share of power, with Mary assuming a more submissive role. Initially, the populace remained relatively positive view of the Dutch soldiers. However, as the months progressed, the sentiment of the London population towards the Dutch military presence turned increasingly hostile, and discontent became apparent. William of Orange was aware of this fact. The anti-Dutch sentiment in London became particularly noticeable by April 1689, primarily attributed to the substantial presence of Dutch soldiers. This sentiment intensified to the extent that by the summer, it evolved into a significant political factor in its own right.The populace, apprehensive of Dutch soldiers, started opposing their presence, deeming them a "Terrible pair of Dutch Whiskers.", Many expressed a desire for the return of expelled English soldiers. However, a considerable number of English individuals maintained a favorable view of the Dutch and immigrants, appreciating them as skilled artisans and laborers. The Dutch played a massive role in London now.

Aftermath
In 1697, the presence of Dutch regiments in London and its nearby districts emerged as a significant point of contention between William and Parliament. However, with the enactment of the Disbanding Act in March 1699, the Dutch regiments were returned home. This event is often referred to as 'the most controversial political issue in post-war Williamite England,' as it sparked intense and vehement debates."

Thick wall of silence
There is little to none sources available of Dutch interactions with the local people, and its been told that "'since the early eighteenth century, a thick wall of silence has descended over the Dutch occupation of London 1688-90'"Jonathan Israel says: "'the whole business came to seem so improbable that by common consent, scholarly and popular, it was simply erased from the record'"