Orange at Torbay

[fredpuli47]

When William of Orange was invited to invade, he landed his forces at Torbay, in the West Country. Why? What was wrong with landing them closer to London?

[Paul22118]

Severe winds pushed the Dutch fleet bringing William to these shores and the nearest safe harbour for them to land was Brixham in Devon. Hence the imposing statue of 'Bill' Orange on the harbourside at Brixham in Torbay.
They then went overland to London.

[rinkytink]

I believe that the preference of William was to land on the Isle of Wight the day before (his birthday) but his English Advisers felt that the 5th November was a more notable date.

[rinkytink]

Also...despite the fact that he was invited to invade there would still have been pockets of resistance accross the country. The West Country was considered to be a safe area due to the fact it had suffered the retribution of James II 'Bloody Assize' following the defeat of the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion at Sedgemoor, Somerset, in 1685.