British Culture - User contributions [en]

The Battle of the Boyne

2009-05-22T12:53:00Z

Christopher Budde:

The Battle of the Boyne, which took place on 12th July, 1690, is one of the most decisive battles in the conflict between [[William of Orange]] and [[James II]].

After [[the Siege of Derry]] the initiative slowly slipped from James' hands and his troops were pushed south by William's army. In June 1690 William moves his troops to Drogheda at the mouth of the river Boyne. On 12th July 1690 the Battle of the Boyne finally took place. The Williamite troops plunged through the river under fierce attacks from their Jacobite opponents and managed to strike a heavy blow. After three charges, the Jacobite infantry fled. William himself led the pursuit across seven miles of open countryside, before the last resistance was finally smashed in the evening.

[[James II]] lost thrice as many men as William and had to flee to Dublin to escape his prosecutor. He left Ireland for France, where he spent the rest of his life. The last battles of the war between Williamite and Jacobite troops were fought shortly afterwards at the Battle of Aughrim and at the Siege of Limerick, which culminated in the Treaty of Limerick, which allowed the Jacobites to leave for the continent. This event came to be known as the Flight of the Wild Geese.

The Battle of the Boyne was the last time two kings fought each other on the British Isles. It also signifies the completion of the English conquest of Ireland and the last step towards a complete restoration of the Protestant king William after the defeat of his opponent [[James II]].

Sources:

Kee, Robert. ''The Green Flag. A History of Irish Nationalism''. London: Penguin Books, 2000.

Maurer, Michael. ''Kleine Geschichte Englands''. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.

Staples, Norman. ''A Short History of Ireland''. 2004.

The Siege of Derry

2009-05-22T12:52:08Z

Christopher Budde:

During the years of 1689 – 1691 some of the most important events in the conflict between [[William of Orange]] and [[James II]] took place which were at the same time some of the most important events in Irish history.

After William of Orange had been invited to the English throne in what was to be called the Glorious Revolution in 1688, his Catholic predecessor [[James II]] fled to Ireland. In an attempt to remove the Protestant Settlers of the Northern Part of Ireland who had been brought there during the Ulster Plantations, [[James II]] gathered his loyal forces and marched north. Apart from the two walled cities, Enniskillen and Derry, Ulster lay practically at his mercy. On 18th March, 1689 James' troops arrived before the 20 feet-thick walls of Derry, a this time a Protestant stronghold. At the sight of the approaching army the city, the population of which had swelled due to migration from the countryside, seemed torn between two options, either surrender to James' troops or to resist them. While uncertainty was dominant within the city walls, the Apprentice Boys of Derry took their city's fate into their hands and closed the gates: The Siege of Derry had begun.

Derry's advantage lay in the fact that the Jacobite Army was by no means equipped for a siege and the outcome of the affair was also influenced by the arrival of [[William of Orange]] himself on the shores of Ulster. When Williamite troops finally managed to create a gap in the Jacobite defence lines and supplies could be brought into the starving town, the fortunes began to turn, and finally, after 105 days, the Jacobite Army had to call off the siege.
After this event, the initiative begins to slip from James' hands and his troops were slowly but surely pushed back in a southern direction which finally led them to Drogheda where [[the Battle of the Boyne]] was about to take place.

Sources:
Kee, Robert. ''The Green Flag. A History of Irish Nationalism''. London: Penguin Books, 2000.

Maurer, Michael. ''Kleine Geschichte Englands''. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.

Staples, Norman. ''A Short History of Ireland''. 2004.

John Locke

2009-05-22T12:51:06Z

Christopher Budde:

John Locke was born on 28th August 1634 in Somerset, England as the son of an attorney. He became famous for his works on [[contract theory]], best depicted in his work ''Two Treatises of Government'' (published in 1690). He died on 28th October 1704.

=== Early Life ===

From 1647 onwards he attended Westminster School for Boys and later studied at Christ Church in Oxford. During his studies he focused on a huge variety of subjects, attending courses on natural philosophy, literature, medicine and politics. At the beginning he seems to have been most interested in medicine.
It was also during his time in Oxford, in 1685 to be precise, that the statesman Lord Ashley who spent a period of time in Oxford for medical treatment and was to ask Locke to become his personal physician and join him in his London home.

=== Political "Apprenticeship" ===

During the time Locke spent at Lord Ashley's house he developed his political interests. It was also due to the help offered him by Lord Ashley that Locke was hired by the British Government to research possible relationships between trade opportunities and colonization. He used his post to travel to many parts of the world during the next couple of years. His travels also took him to France in 1675. After studying the French language he started reading Descartes' works in the original, focussing on his philosophy. Influenced by Descartes he worked on ''An Essay Concerning Human Understanding'' (published 1689) during his stay in France, which lasted about three years.

=== Political Philosopher and Exile ===

When Locke returned to England in 1679, in the middle of the political crisis concerning [[Charles II]]. During thuis time he wrote his ''Two Treatises of Government'' (published 1690), which might be regarded as a direct reaction to the supposed Catholic plot and the events surrounding it. However, fearing the prospect of being arrested he fled to the Netherlands, where he once again joined his friend Lord Ashley and lived among other exiles. He only returned to England in 1689 after the [[Glorious Revolution]] had taken place and he deemed it safe enough to return.

=== Sources ===

"Locke, John" Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 223 May 2009.

Maurer, Michael: Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.

John Locke

2009-05-22T12:46:32Z

Christopher Budde:

John Locke was born on 28th August 1634 in Somerset, England as the son of an attorney. He became famous for his works on [[contract theory]], best depicted in his work ''Two Treatises of Government'' (published in 1690). He died on 28th October 1704.

=== Early Life ===

From 1647 onwards he attended Westminster School for Boys and later studied at Christ Church in Oxford. During his studies he focused on a huge variety of subjects, attending courses on natural philosophy, literature, medicine and politics. At the beginning he seems to have been most interested in medicine.
It was also during his time in Oxford, in 1685 to be precise, that the statesman Lord Ashley who spent a period of time in Oxford for medical treatment and was to ask Locke to become his personal physician and join him in his London home.

=== Political "Apprenticeship" ===

During the time Locke spent at Lord Ashley's house he developed his political interests. It was also due to the help offered him by Lord Ashley that Locke was hired by the British Government to research possible relationships between trade opportunities and colonization. He used his post to travel to many parts of the world during the next couple of years. His travels also took him to France in 1675. After studying the French language he started reading Descartes' works in the original, focussing on his philosophy. Influenced by Descartes he worked on ''An Essay Concerning Human Understanding'' (published 1689) during his stay in France, which lasted about three years.

=== Political Philosopher and Exile ===

When Locke returned to England in 1679, in the middle of the political crisis concerning [[Charles II]]. During thuis time he wrote his ''Two Treatises of Government'' (published 1690), which might be regarded as a direct reaction to the supposed Catholic plot and the events surrounding it. However, fearing the prospect of being arrested he fled to the Netherlands, where he once again joined his friend Lord Ashley and lived among other exiles. He only returned to England in 1689 after the [[Glorious Revolution]] had taken place and he deemed it safe enough to return.

=== Sources ===

"Locke, John" Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 223 May 2009.
Maurer, Michael: Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.

John Locke

2009-05-22T12:39:24Z

Christopher Budde:

James II

2009-05-22T12:36:05Z

Christopher Budde:

The son of [[Charles I]] and Queen Henrietta Maria, brother of [[Charles II]]. [[Catholicism|Catholic]] since 1668. Succeeded his brother on the English (and Scottish) throne in 1685. Had to leave England after his policies of promoting Catholics in 1688. He fled to Ireland where after a series of defeats aginst the troops of William of Orange, most famously at [[the Siege of Derry]] and at [[the Battle of the Boyne]], he finally left for the continent. He lived in French exile until his death.

John Locke

2009-05-22T12:29:17Z

Christopher Budde:

John Locke was born on 28th August 1634 in Somerset, England as the son of an attorney. He became famous for his works on [[contract theory]], best depicted in his work ''Two Treatises of Government'' (published in 1690). He died on 28th October 1704.

== Early Life ==

From 1647 onwards he attended Westminster School for Boys and later studied at Christ Church in Oxford. During his studies he focused on a huge variety of subjects, attending courses on natural philosophy, literature, medicine and politics. At the beginning he seems to have been most interested in medicine.
It was also during his time in Oxford, in 1685 to be precise, that the statesman Lord Ashley who spent a period of time in Oxford for medical treatment and was to ask Locke to become his personal physician and join him in his London home.

== Political "Apprenticeship" ==

During the time Locke spent at Lord Ashley's house he developed his political interests. It was also due to the help offered him by Lord Ashley that Locke was hired by the British Government to research possible relationships between trade opportunities and colonization. He used his post to travel to many parts of the world during the next couple of years. His travels also took him to France in 1675. After studying the French language he started reading Descartes' works in the original, focussing on his philosophy. Influenced by Descartes he worked on ''An Essay Concerning Human Understanding'' (published 1689) during his stay in France, which lasted about three years.

== Political Philosopher and Exile ==

When Locke returned to England in 1679, in the middle of the political crisis concerning [[Charles II]]. During thuis time he wrote his ''Two Treatises of Government'' (published 1690), which might be regarded as a direct reaction to the supposed Catholic plot and the events surrounding it. However, fearing the prospect of being arrested he fled to the Netherlands, where he once again joined his friend Lord Ashley and lived among other exiles. He only returned to England in 1689 after the [[Glorious Revolution]] had taken place and he deemed it safe enough to return.

John Locke

2009-05-22T12:26:46Z

Christopher Budde:

John Locke was born on 28th August 1634 in Somerset, England as the son of an attorney. He became famous for his works on [[contract theory]], best depicted in his work ''Two Treatises of Government'' (published in 1690). He died on 28th October 1704.

From 1647 onwards he attended Westminster School for Boys and later studied at Christ Church in Oxford. During his studies he focused on a huge variety of subjects, attending courses on natural philosophy, literature, medicine and politics. At the beginning he seems to have been most interested in medicine.
It was also during his time in Oxford, in 1685 to be precise, that the statesman Lord Ashley who spent a period of time in Oxford for medical treatment and was to ask Locke to become his personal physician and join him in his London home.

During the time Locke spent at Lord Ashley's house he developed his political interests. It was also due to the help offered him by Lord Ashley that Locke was hired by the British Government to research possible relationships between trade opportunities and colonization. He used his post to travel to many parts of the world during the next couple of years. His travels also took him to France in 1675. After studying the French language he started reading Descartes' works in the original, focussing on his philosophy. Influenced by Descartes he worked on ''An Essay Concerning Human Understanding'' (published 1689) during his stay in France, which lasted about three years.

When Locke returned to England in 1679, in the middle of the political crisis concerning [[Charles II]]. During thuis time he wrote his ''Two Treatises of Government'' (published 1690), which might be regarded as a direct reaction to the supposed Catholic plot and the events surrounding it. However, fearing the prospect of being arrested he fled to the Netherlands, where he once again joined his friend Lord Ashley and lived among other exiles. He only returned to England in 1689 after the [[Glorious Revolution]] had taken place and he deemed it safe enough to return.

John Locke

2009-05-22T12:23:21Z

Christopher Budde:

John Locke was born on 28th August 1634 in Somerset, England as the son of an attorney. He became famous for his works on [[contract theory]], best depicted in his work [[''Two Treatises of Government'']] (published in 1690). He died on 28th October 1704.

From 1647 onwards he attended Westminster School for Boys and later studied at Christ Church in Oxford. During his studies he focused on a huge variety of subjects, attending courses on natural philosophy, literature, medicine and politics. At the beginning he seems to have been most interested in medicine.
It was also during his time in Oxford, in 1685 to be precise, that the statesman Lord Ashley who spent a period of time in Oxford for medical treatment and was to ask Locke to become his personal physician and join him in his London home.

During the time Locke spent at Lord Ashley's house he developed his political interests. It was also due to the help offered him by Lord Ashley that Locke was hired by the British Government to research possible relationships between trade opportunities and colonization. He used his post to travel to many parts of the world during the next couple of years. His travels also took him to France in 1675. After studying the French language he started reading Descartes' works in the original, focussing on his philosophy. Influenced by Descartes he worked on An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (published 1689) during his stay in France, which lasted about three years.

When Locke returned to England in 1679, in the middle of the political crisis concerning Charles II. During thuis time he wrote his Two Treatises of Civil Government (published 1690), which might be regarded as a direct reaction to the supposed Catholic plot and the events surrounding it. However, fearing the prospect of being arrested he fled to the Netherlands, where he once again joined his friend Lord Ashley and lived among other exiles. He only returned to England in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution had taken place and he deemed it safe enough to return.

The Siege of Derry

2009-05-21T13:22:06Z

Christopher Budde:

During the years of 1689 – 1691 some of the most important events in the conflict between [[William of Orange]] and [[James II]]. Took place which were at the same time some of the most important events in Irish history.
After William of Orange had been invited to the English throne in what was to be called the glorious revolution in 1688, his Catholic predecessor [[James II.]] Fled to Ireland. In an attempt to remove the Protestant Settlers of the Northern Part of Ireland who had been brought their during the Ulster Plantations, [[James II.]] gathered his loyal forces and marched north. Apart from the two walled cities, Enniskillen and Derry, Ulster lay practically at his mercy. On 18th March, 1689 James' troops arrived before the 20 feet-thick walls of Derry, a this time a Protestant stronghold. At the sight of the approaching army the city, the population of which had swelled due to migration from the countryside, seemed torn between two options, either surrender to James' troops or to resist them. While uncertainty was dominant within the city walls, the Apprentice Boys of Derry took their city's fate into their hands and closed the gates: The Siege of Derry had begun.
Derry's advantage lay in the fact that the Jacobite Army was by no means equipped for a siege and the outcome of the affair was also influenced by the arrival of [[William of Orange]] himself on the shores of Ulster. When Williamite troops finally managed to create a gap in the Jacobite defence lines and supplies could be brought into the starving town, the fortunes began to turn, and finally, after 105 days, the Jacobite Army had to call off the siege.
After this event, the initiative begins to slip from James' hands and his troops were slowly but surely pushed back in a southern direction which finally led them to Drogheda where [[the Battle of the Boyne]] was about to take place.

Sources:
Kee, Robert: The Green Flag. A History of Irish Nationalism. London: Penguin Books, 2000.
Maurer, Michael: Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.
Staples, Norman: A Short History of Ireland. 2004.

The Battle of the Boyne

2009-05-21T13:20:09Z

Christopher Budde:

The Battle of the Boyne, which took place on 12th July, 1690, is one of the most decisive battles in the conflict between [[William of Orange]] and [[James II]].

After [[the Siege of Derry]] the initiative slowly slipped from James' hands and his troops were pushed south by William's army. In June 1690 William moves his troops to Drogheda a´t the mouth of the river Boyne. On 12th July 1690 the Battle of the Boyne finally took place. The Williamite troops plunge through the river under fierce attacks from their Jacobite opponents and manage to strike a heavy blow. After three charges, the Jacobite infantry fled. William himself led the pursuit across seven miles of open countryside, before the last resistance was finally smashed in the evening.

[[James II]]. lost thrice as many men as William and had to flee to Dublin to escape his prosecutor. He left Ireland for France, where he spent the rest of his life shortly afterwards. The last battles of the war between Williamite and Jacobite troops were fought shortly afterwards at the Battle of Aughrim and at the Siege of Limerick, which culminated in the Treaty of Limerick, which allowed the Jacobites to leave fro the continent. This event came to be known as the Flight of the Wild Geese.

The Battle of the Boyne was the last time two kings fought each other on the British Isles. It also singnifies the completion of the English conquest of Ireland and the last step towards a complete restoration of the Protestant king William after the defeat of his opponent [[James II]].

Sources:
Kee, Robert: The Green Flag. A History of Irish Nationalism. London: Penguin Books, 2000.
Maurer, Michael: Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.
Staples, Norman: A Short History of Ireland. 2004.

The Battle of the Boyne

2009-05-21T13:19:18Z

Christopher Budde:

The Battle of the Boyne, which took place on 12th July, 1690, is one of the most decisive battles in the conflict between [[William of Orange]] and [[James II]].

After [[the Siege of Derry]] the initiative slowly slipped from James' hands and his troops were pushed south by William's army. In June 1690 William moves his troops to Drogheda a´t the mouth of the river Boyne. On 12th July 1690 the Battle of the Boyne finally took place. The Williamite troops plunge through the river under fierce attacks from their Jacobite opponents and manage to strike a heavy blow. After three charges, the Jacobite infantry fled. William himself led the pursuit across seven miles of open countryside, before the last resistance was finally smashed in the evening.

James II. lost thrice as many men as William and had to flee to Dublin to escape his prosecutor. He left Ireland for France, where he spent the rest of his life shortly afterwards. The last battles of the war between Williamite and Jacobite troops were fought shortly afterwards at the Battle of Aughrim and at the Siege of Limerick, which culminated in the Treaty of Limerick, which allowed the Jacobites to leave fro the continent. This event came to be known as the Flight of the Wild Geese.

The Battle of the Boyne was the last time two kings fought each other on the British Isles. It also singnifies the completion of the English conquest of Ireland and the last step towards a complete restoration of the Protestant king William after the defeat of his opponent James II.

Sources:
Kee, Robert: The Green Flag. A History of Irish Nationalism. London: Penguin Books, 2000.
Maurer, Michael: Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.
Staples, Norman: A Short History of Ireland. 2004.

The Battle of the Boyne

2009-05-21T13:17:33Z

Christopher Budde:

The Battle of the Boyne, which took place on 12th July, 1690, is one of the most decisive battles in the conflict between William of Orange adn James II.

After [[the Siege of Derry]] the initiative slowly slipped from James' hands and his troops were pushed south by William's army. In June 1690 William moves his troops to Drogheda a´t the mouth of the river Boyne. On 12th July 1690 the Battle of the Boyne finally took place. The Williamite troops plunge through the river under fierce attacks from their Jacobite opponents and manage to strike a heavy blow. After three charges, the Jacobite infantry fled. William himself led the pursuit across seven miles of open countryside, before the last resistance was finally smashed in the evening.

James II. lost thrice as many men as William and had to flee to Dublin to escape his prosecutor. He left Ireland for France, where he spent the rest of his life shortly afterwards. The last battles of the war between Williamite and Jacobite troops were fought shortly afterwards at the Battle of Aughrim and at the Siege of Limerick, which culminated in the Treaty of Limerick, which allowed the Jacobites to leave fro the continent. This event came to be known as the Flight of the Wild Geese.

The Battle of the Boyne was the last time two kings fought each other on the British Isles. It also singnifies the completion of the English conquest of Ireland and the last step towards a complete restoration of the Protestant king William after the defeat of his opponent James II.

Sources:
Kee, Robert: The Green Flag. A History of Irish Nationalism. London: Penguin Books, 2000.
Maurer, Michael: Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.
Staples, Norman: A Short History of Ireland. 2004.

The Battle of the Boyne

2009-05-21T13:15:57Z

Christopher Budde:

The Battle of the Boyne, which took place on 12th July, 1690, is one of the most decisive battles in the conflict between William of Orange adn James II.

After [[the Siege of Derry]] the initiative slowly slipped from James' hands and his troops were pushed south by William's army. In June 1690 William moves his troops to Drogheda a´t the mouth of the river Boyne. On 12th July 1690 the Battle of the Boyne finally took place. The Williamite troops plunge through the river under fierce attacks from their Jacobite opponents and manage to strike a heavy blow. After three charges, the Jacobite infantry fled. William himself led the pursuit across seven miles of open countryside, before the last resistance was finally smashed in the evening.

James II. lost thrice as many men as William and had to flee to Dublin to escape his prosecutor. He left Ireland for France, where he spent the rest of his life shortly afterwards. The last battles of the war between Williamite and Jacobite troops were fought shortly afterwards at the Battle of Aughrim and at the Siege of Limerick, which culminated in the Treaty of Limerick, which allowed the Jacobites to leave fro the continent. This event came to be known as the Flight of the Wild Geese.

The Battle of the Boyne was the last time two kings fought each other on the British Isles. It also singnifies the completion of the English conquest of Ireland.

Sources:
Kee, Robert: The Green Flag. A History of Irish Nationalism. London: Penguin Books, 2000.
Maurer, Michael: Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.
Staples, Norman: A Short History of Ireland. 2004.

The Battle of the Boyne

2009-05-21T13:15:13Z

Christopher Budde:

The Battle of the Boyne, which took place on 12th July, 1690, is one of the most decicive battles in the conflict between William of Orange adn James II.

After the Siege of Derry the initiative slowly slipped from James' hands and his troops were pushed south by William's army. In June 1690 William moves his troops to Drogheda a´t the mouth of the river Boyne. On 12th July 1690 the Battle of the Boyne finally took place. The Williamite troops plunge through the river under fierce attacks from their Jacobite opponents and manage to strike a heavy blow. After three charges, the Jacobite infantry fled. William himself led the pursuit across seven miles of open countryside, before the last resistance was finally smashed in the evening.

James II. lost thrice as many men as William and had to flee to Dublin to escape his prosecutor. He left Ireland for France, where he spent the rest of his life shortly afterwards. The last battles of the war between Williamite and Jacobite troops were fought shortly afterwards at the Battle of Aughrim and at the Siege of Limerick, which culminated in the Treaty of Limerick, which allowed the Jacobites to leave fro the continent. This event came to be known as the Flight of the Wild Geese.

The Battle of the Boyne was the last time two kings fought each other on the British Isles. It also singnifies the completion of the English conquest of Ireland.

Sources:
Kee, Robert: The Green Flag. A History of Irish Nationalism. London: Penguin Books, 2000.
Maurer, Michael: Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.
Staples, Norman: A Short History of Ireland. 2004.

The Siege of Derry

2009-05-21T13:02:45Z

Christopher Budde:

During the years of 1689 – 1691 some of the most important events in the conflict between William of Orange and James II. Took place which were at the same time some of the most important events in Irish history.
After William of Orange had been invited to the English throne in what was to be called the glorious revolution in 1688, his Catholic predecessor James II. Fled to Ireland. In an attempt to remove the Protestant Settlers of the Northern Part of Ireland who had been brought their during the Ulster Plantations, James II. gathered his loyal forces and marched north. Apart from the two walled cities, Enniskillen and Derry, Ulster lay practically at his mercy. On 18th March, 1689 James' troops arrived before the 20 feet-thick walls of Derry, a this time a Protestant stronghold. At the sight of the approaching army the city, the population of which had swelled due to migration from the countryside, seemed torn between two options, either surrender to James' troops or to resist them. While uncertainty was dominant within the city walls, the Apprentice Boys of Derry took their city's fate into their hands and closed the gates: The Siege of Derry had begun.
Derry's advantage lay in the fact that the Jacobite Army was by no means equipped for a siege and the outcome of the affair was also influenced by the arrival of William of Orange himself on the shores of Ulster. When Williamite troops finally managed to create a gap in the Jacobite defence lines and supplies could be brought into the starving town, the fortunes began to turn, and finally, after 105 days, the Jacobite Army had to call off the siege.
After this event, the initiative begins to slip from James' hands and his troops were slowly but surely pushed back in a southern direction.

Sources:
Kee, Robert: The Green Flag. A History of Irish Nationalism. London: Penguin Books, 2000.
Maurer, Michael: Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.
Staples, Norman: A Short History of Ireland. 2004.

The Siege of Derry

2009-05-21T13:01:39Z

Christopher Budde:

== The Siege of Derry ==

During the years of 1689 – 1691 some of the most important events in the conflict between William of Orange and James II. Took place which were at the same time some of the most important events in Irish history.
After William of Orange had been invited to the English throne in what was to be called the glorious revolution in 1688, his Catholic predecessor James II. Fled to Ireland. In an attempt to remove the Protestant Settlers of the Northern Part of Ireland who had been brought their during the Ulster Plantations, James II. gathered his loyal forces and marched north. Apart from the two walled cities, Enniskillen and Derry, Ulster lay practically at his mercy. On 18th March, 1689 James' troops arrived before the 20 feet-thick walls of Derry, a this time a Protestant stronghold. At the sight of the approaching army the city, the population of which had swelled due to migration from the countryside, seemed torn between two options, either surrender to James' troops or to resist them. While uncertainty was dominant within the city walls, the Apprentice Boys of Derry took their city's fate into their hands and closed the gates: The Siege of Derry had begun.
Derry's advantage lay in the fact that the Jacobite Army was by no means equipped for a siege and the outcome of the affair was also influenced by the arrival of William of Orange himself on the shores of Ulster. When Williamite troops finally managed to create a gap in the Jacobite defence lines and supplies could be brought into the starving town, the fortunes began to turn, and finally, after 105 days, the Jacobite Army had to call off the siege.
After this event, the initiative begins to slip from James' hands and his troops were slowly but surely pushed back in a southern direction.

Sources:
Kee, Robert: The Green Flag. A History of Irish Nationalism. London: Penguin Books, 2000.
Maurer, Michael: Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.
Staples, Norman: A Short History of Ireland. 2004.

The Siege of Derry

2009-05-21T13:01:11Z

Christopher Budde: