Battle of the Boyne

The Battle of the Boyne took place on 1 July 1690 near the river Boyne, four miles west of Drogheda (Ireland). The battel was the result of a conflict between King William III of England (also William III of Orange) and the former English King James II. The troops of both sides were comanded personally by the respevtive king. William III commanded nearly 36,000 men whereas James II had only 25,000 soldiers. William's soldiers came from several different countries as well as James's troops did. The nationalities are in so far of importance as they clearly reveal from which both war parties received support. English, Scottish, Dutch, Danish, Irish and French Protestants (also called Hugenots) formed Wiliams army while on the other hand James's (Jacobites) army was made up mostly of Irish Catholics and regular French troops provided by King Louis XIV.

At the end of the day James's troops got defeated by the Williamites. The "Jacobites" had to surrender but made it to organize a controlled withdrawal, allowing them to continue the war against William's men for another year.

Historical Background

In 1688, during the so called blodless "Glorious Revoultion" James II had lost the throne of England. He had to surrender the throne to William Prince of Orange, who was married to James's doughter and who succeeded to James's throne. William became King of England because the parliament wanted him to be the new English King.

James escaped to France where he sought refuge with his old ally, Louis XIV, who saw an opportunity to strike at William through Ireland. He provided French officers and arms for James, who landed at Kinsale in March 1689. The eager support of James II could be defined in terms of the British throne, French dominace in continental Europe an moreover religious power in Ireland.

Sources

http://battleoftheboyne.ie/thebattleoftheboyne/

http://irelandseye.com/aarticles/history/events/dates/ch5.shtm