James, Duke of York, converted to Catholicism, which subsequently produced a series of political crises after he succeeded to the throne as James II and eventually led to several powerful English Protestants inviting William of Orange (later William III) to seize the British throne. Along with 14,000 troops ready to battle and invade England, William landed in Torbay, Brixham, on 5 November 1688. Commemorating the landing the obverse of the medal features a portrait of William, armoured, draped and facing right. The reverse shows an equestrian figure leading his army, assembled on a beach, with, a large fleet at anchor beyond.
