The Williamite Wars In Ireland (1689-1691):

The Battle of The Boyne 1690

Dean Adrian Moore

Session InstructionsThis PowerPoint Presentation uses both rehearsed timings and manual user clicking:

Each of the following slides are timed.

However, you will need to advance the individual slides yourself – once you see the icon appear in the bottom right hand corner then the slide is fully loaded and once you have finished with that slide you can now ‘click’ to advance to the next slide.

For Videos: To watch the videos simply click on the black square and turn up your volume. (Using PPT 2010 with an internet connection) If the video does not work on your version the urls are in the ‘notes’ section below slide.

Enjoy.

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Whenever you see the book icon at the top left hand side this provides a link for additional reading.

Learning ObjectivesBy the end of today’s lesson we will have learned:

The Wider European Influence on the Glorious Revolution;

The Religious Influence both in England and in Ireland;

Causes and consequences of: The Siege of Londonderry; And The Battle of the Boyne

Strengths and Weaknesses of both the Williamites and the Jacobites;

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Context: The Glorious Revolution

The Glorious Revolution of 1688-1689 replaced the reigning king, James II, with the joint monarchy of his Protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband, William of Orange. (William III / “King Billy”).

It was a bloodless revolution in England, but it was only secured in Scotland and Ireland by force.

The revolution cemented Parliament’s supremacy over the Crown.

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Context: Why A Revolution?

James II was a Catholic leading a Protestant country. Parliament feared that he would begin to Catholicise England – Wide spread fear of Popery.

James II attempted to rule for long periods without Parliament – showing he had Absolutist tendencies. This was further supported by his close relationship to his cousin – the Absolutist King of France, Louis XIV.

James was old and had no heir to the throne. However in 1688 his wife gave birth to his son who would now become next in line to the throne – not the Protestant Mary. Fear of a Catholic Dynasty ruling the Anglican Church.

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Context: Why Did William Invade?

William III’s main reasons for the invasion of England were:

The Letter from The Immortal Seven: This was a letter sent to William and Mary by seven extremist MP’s. However, this served only as propaganda – William had already drawn up plans to Invade England.

To bring ‘neutral’ England into his war with France: Without the support of England William would find it hard to defeat Louis XIV on the Continent

To defend Protestantism: William presented himself as the defender of Protestantism.

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Context: The Siege of Derry in brief

James Flees and Returns: James flees to France and returns to Ireland in 1689 at Kinsale.

Jacobite Army March North: James and his Jacobite army take the main towns and cities of Ireland. The remaining walled city of Londonderry proved to be a thorn in his side.

Jacobite Army Surround Derry: James and his Jacobite army surround Londonderry in a loose Siege-type Campaign. The Jacobites are ill-equiped and cannot knock down the walls. Lack of muskets and food also.

Williamite Ships Relieve Derry:. The Jacobite boom across the Foyle was demolished. The Williamite ships were able to sail straight for Derry unopposed because the Jacobites manning the cannons on the banks were “drunk on brandy.”

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Derry: In Detail

Battlefield Britain (BBC) (2009)

Watch the video carefully and note down the weaknesses, mistakes and problems with the Jacobite Siege.

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Click on the video to play…

Boyne: The Build Up

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Williamite Army Prior to The Boyne:

Continual Reinforcements arrived in 1690 6,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry from

Denmark; Supply of German and Dutch Troops; Contract for sufficient bread supply for the

army; 15,000 troops and a train of artillery from

Holland; £200,000.

Lack of Jacobite Navy meant the Williamites could cross the Irish Sea when they pleased – Attack on Dublin harbour led to the capture of a 20 gunned frigate.

Boyne: The Build Up

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Jacobite Army Prior to The Boyne:

Reinforcements arrived in 1690 6,000 officers and men from France; Arms and ammunition from France – was deficient

in both quality and quantity; New Commander from France, Lauzun – vain and

his military expertise was negligible.

Irish troops were traded for French troops, but the Irish troops were first class soldiers who won honours in Savoy and Catalonia.

James imposed severe restrictions on Protestants in Dublin – turning many against him.

Boyne: The Armies

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Williamite Army

36,000 men

Better Equipped

Better Supply Lines

Better and less fragmented leadership

The River Boyne was the last major natural barrier between the Williamites and Dublin.

Jacobite Army

25,000 men

Better Cavalry

Better Position – on higher ground with a river in front of them – separating them from the advancing Williamites

Had blocked off other crossings.

Boyne: The BattleBattlefield Britain (BBC) (2009)

Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 Video 4

(Only watch until 5mins and 30 secs.)

Please watch the following four video clips on the Battle of The Boyne. How did the Williamites Win? Was William as brave as some people have remembered? Why did the Jacobites crumble?

To play the video clips you must be using MS PowerPoint 2010 and be connected to the internet. If you cannot play them in this PowerPoint

Presentation please see the ‘notes’ Section below for the urls.

Click on the video to play…

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Online Discussion

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

In your online discussion area you must discuss the following:

What was the major flaw in the Jacobite Army between 1689-1690?

You might want to consider: Leadership (fractured?), man power, weaponry, supplies, choice of location to defend Dublin (The Boyne)…..

You should write your first post within the next couple of days and submit at least two responses to your fellow student’s posts before the next class.

I could have beaten the Jacobites!

Assessment

Williamite Wars In Ireland: The Battle of The Boyne

Today’s Assessment comes in the form of a 35 mark source Question. You will be given three sources and expected to answer the two questions that follow – using the information provided in these sources and your own knowledge. You are expected to complete this task with in an hour.

Source 1: Audio File

Source 2: “How the battle of the Boyne earned its place in history.” –Guardian.co.uk (Derek Brown)

Source 3: Video File

1) Consult all sources and your knowledge of this period. Which of the sources would a historian value most as evidence in the study of the Jacobite loss at The Battle of The Boyne? [15]

2) Use all sources and other evidence you have studied. How far would you agree with McAuley that the Jacobite force was “a mere paper tiger”? [20]