The Battle of the Boyne

The Battle of the Boyne was an important part of the Revolution in England. Fought on the banks of the Boyne River just outside of Drogheda on July 12, 1690, the battle was waged between troops of James II, former King of England, and the forces of the Netherlands ruler William of Orange, who had been proclaimed William III, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1689.

To prevent James from regaining the throne, William led an army of about 35,000 men to Ireland, where James was ensconced with 21,000 of his supporters. In the subsequent engagement on the Boyne, James suffered a defeat, losing 1500 men, while William lost only 500. James returned to France. The Protestant order of Orangemen, established in Ireland in 1795, was named after William of Orange, whose victory on the Boyne they commemorate annually.

Composite map drawn at time of battle for King William.

Courtesy of The National Gallery of Ireland