The Battle of the Boyne

The History of the Battle That Ended James II’s Attempt to Reclaim the Throne of England

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: KC Wayman

The 17th century in Europe, particularly its latter years, is often considered the beginning of the Enlightenment, as nations across the continent experienced a surge in innovation and scientific progress, a period also commonly referred to as the Age of Reason. There was English natural philosopher, Francis Bacon, whose book Novum Organum challenged Aristotelian philosophy and stressed the significance of inductive reasoning. Bacon's ideas, which emphasized observation and the implementation of various premises to form conclusions, was later referenced by famed French mathematician René Descartes.

The Enlightenment had been awakened by the European Age of Discovery, a transformative era that succeeded the medieval years, but the continent was also a seedbed of insurrection, holy wars, and volatility. People were growing weary of the unpredictable system of monarchy, a post that was inherited only by members of an exclusive bloodline or connection, one that often muted the voices of the people.

The Glorious Revolution was an intriguing story of a power war exacerbated by ruthless ambition, under-the-table plotting, and the treachery of familial betrayal. In 1678, a sinister scheme to assassinate King Charles II was unearthed, sending the public into a frenzy of mass panic. Fingers were pointed at the Catholics, who had been accused of concocting the elaborate conspiracy, and this very event would intensify the white-hot flames of the Anti-Catholic hysteria that was already running unchecked within the nation. Seven years later, the openly Catholic King James II rose to the throne, and needless to say, the largely Protestant public was anything but pleased. As the people slowly turned against him, the king's daughter, Mary, and her husband, William of Orange, watched across the English Channel from a distance. The people were begging for change in a broken system, and something drastic had to and would be done.

The striking saga of the Glorious Revolution is one that continues to fascinate historians around the world today. Some chroniclers have referred to these events as the “Bloodless Revolution,” but other historians say otherwise. The ruthless game of politics that William of Orange and England’s King James II played may have been somewhat bloodless in comparison to history's greatest rebellions, but the rebels, soldiers, and other pawns who lost their lives along the way must not be forgotten. The revolution would also pave the path for a series of bloody wars between England and Scotland, the result of which has left quite a legacy of its own.

Furthermore, it’s important to remember that James did try to return to England, and there would be two more years of war before James II gave up the quest to regain the throne. On July 1, 1690, the famous Battle of the Boyne was fought near the town of Drogheda, about five miles west of Baltray. The combatants were the supporters of King James II and King William III, both claiming to be the lawful sovereigns of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The conflict was part of a broader struggle for the destiny of the British Isles, and though it was not the decisive battle of the war, it is the most famous, the commemoration of which still fans tensions between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In its aftermath, James II would again leave the British Isles, this time for good.

©2023 Charles River Editors (P)2023 Charles River Editors