Final answer:
William and Mary came to the throne in 1689 following the Glorious Revolution, where James II was deposed and a constitutional monarchy established with the 1689 Bill of Rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
William and Mary were enthroned in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution, an event that was characterized by little bloodshed and a major shift in the control of England. The ousting of King James II and the succession of William III and Mary II to the throne exemplified a turning point in English history, paving the way for a constitutional monarchy. It was not only a change of monarchs but also led to significant political reforms, encapsulated by the 1689 Bill of Rights, which delineated the rights of Parliament and the limitations on monarchical power.
The change in power derived from a widespread dissatisfaction with the reign of James II, who was deposed in this bloodless coup. William of Orange was invited by Parliament to take the throne along with his wife Mary, in opposition to James's attempts to establish a centralized Catholic state. This pivotal moment in history solidified the role of Parliament as a governing power in England, laying the groundwork for modern democracy in the United Kingdom.