The Battle of the Boyne: The History of the Battle that Ended James II’s Attempt to Reclaim the Throne of England

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.