Anglo-Dutch Favourite

Hans Willem Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland (1649-1709) was the closest confidant of William III and arguably the most important politician in Williamite Britain. Beginning his career in 1664 as page to William of Orange, his fortunes gained momentum with the Prince''s rise to power in The Netherlands and Britain, emerging as William''s favourite at court from the 1670s onwards. Taking a broadly c...