When Mary of Modena delivered a baby boy on June 10, 1688, more than 70 onlookers crowded the birthing chamber to witness the event. Rumors that the infant was a fraud spread like wildfire, fueling Protestant fears of a permanent Catholic dynasty. The controversy proved decisive, giving William of Orange the pretext he needed to launch his invasion of England.
So, curious as to why a royal birth attracted such a big crowd? Click on to uncover the politics, intrigue, and human drama behind the most-watched delivery in British history.