Battle of the Boyne
1690 · Around Oldbridge on the Boyne (west of present-day Drogheda, Ireland) · World · Modern
William's army forced a crossing of the Boyne, James's army retreated, and James II promptly fled to France.
Belligerents
William III's allied army
- Commanders
- William III, Duke of Schomberg
- Strength
- c. 36,000
Jacobites and French reinforcements
- Commanders
- James II, Count of Lauzun
- Strength
- c. 23,000 to 25,000
Background
James II, deposed in the Glorious Revolution, landed in Ireland with the backing of France's Louis XIV, hoping to use it as a base for a restoration; William III personally crossed the sea at the head of a coalition army of soldiers from many European countries.
Course of the battle
- Feint upstreamWilliam sent part of his force upstream on a flanking maneuver toward Rosnaree, and James shifted most of his troops in that direction.
- Forcing the crossing at OldbridgeWilliam's main force waded across at Oldbridge and fought fiercely with James's infantry and cavalry.
- James retreatsThreatened on the flank, James's army withdrew in good order, and William was unable to destroy his opponent.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1690 |
|---|---|
| Place | Around Oldbridge on the River Boyne (west of present-day Drogheda, Ireland) |
| Result | William's army forced a crossing of the Boyne, James's army retreated, and James II promptly fled to France. |
| Winner | William III's allied army |
| Casualties | Casualties were about 1,500 on James's side and about 500 to 750 on William's (estimates); the Duke of Schomberg was killed in battle. |
| Territorial change | William's army then occupied Dublin; after the Battle of Aughrim and the Treaty of Limerick in 1691, Protestant forces took full control of Ireland. |
Impact
The Battle of the Boyne secured the gains of the Glorious Revolution in Britain and Ireland; its commemoration remains a sensitive issue in the politics and social memory of Northern Ireland to this day.
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