Battle of the Boyne

battle_name=Battle of the Boyne

Aftermath

The battle was overshadowed in its time in Great Britain by the destruction of the Anglo-Dutch fleet by the French two days later off Beachy Head, a far more serious event in the short term; only on the Continent was the Boyne treated as a major victory. The reason for this was that it was the first proper victory for the League of Augsburg, the first ever alliance between Catholic and Protestant countries, and in achieving this William of Orange and Pope Alexander VIII (its prime movers) scotched the myth — particularly emanating from Sweden — that such an alliance was blasphemous, resulting in more joining the alliance and in effect ending the very real danger of a French conquest of Europe.

Related Topics:
Off Beachy Head - League of Augsburg - Pope Alexander VIII

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The Boyne was not without strategic significance in Britain and Ireland, however. It marked the end of James's hope of regaining his throne by military means and virtually assured the triumph of the Glorious Revolution. In Scotland, news of this defeat led to the Highlanders gradually abandoning the Jacobite Rising which Bonnie Dundee had led. In Ireland, the Boyne was the beginning of the Williamite victory over the Jacobites, which maintained British and Protestant dominance over the country. For this reason, the Boyne is still celebrated by the Protestant Orange Order on the twelfth of July.

Related Topics:
Britain - Ireland - Glorious Revolution - Scotland - Highlanders - Jacobite Rising - Bonnie Dundee - Orange Order - Twelfth of July

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