Battle / War
Battle of the Boyne (1690)
William III of Orange defeated the Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, securing the Protestant succession in Britain.
The Glorious Revolution
In 1688, King James II — a Catholic — was deposed in the Glorious Revolution. Parliament invited his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange (ruler of the Netherlands) to become joint monarchs. James II fled to France and then to Ireland, where he sought to regain his throne with French support.
The Battle
In July 1690, William III led his army to Ireland and confronted James II's forces at the River Boyne. William's army crossed the river and defeated the Jacobite (James II supporters) forces. James II fled back to France, effectively ending his attempt to reclaim the British throne.
The victory confirmed William and Mary as the Protestant monarchs of Britain. It also cemented the supremacy of Parliament over the crown, as established in the Bill of Rights of 1689.
Legacy in Northern Ireland
The Battle of the Boyne is still commemorated today in Northern Ireland by the Orange Order, with parades held on or around 12 July each year. The battle remains a significant event in the history of Northern Ireland and in the relationship between Protestant and Catholic communities there.
Key facts for the test
- The battle took place in 1690
- William III (William of Orange) defeated the Catholic King James II
- It secured the Protestant succession in Britain
- The battle followed the Glorious Revolution of 1688
- It is still commemorated in Northern Ireland by the Orange Order
Test yourself
Questions about the Battle of the Boyne appear in the Life in the UK Test.
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