Battle of the Boyne The Battle of the Boyne was a turning point
in the Williamite war in Ireland, between the deposed King James
VII of Scotland and II of England and his son-in-law and
successor, William III ("William of Orange"), for the English,
Scottish, and Irish thrones. It took place on July 1, 1690 (Old
Style date), just outside of the town of Drogheda on Ireland's
east coast. As a consequence of the adoption of the Gregorian
calendar, the battle is now commemorated on July 12. Though not
militarily decisive, its symbolic importance has made it one of
the most infamous battles in British and Irish history and a key
part in Irish Protestant folklore. It is still commemorated
today, principally by the Orange Order. Irish Protestants have
cast the battle as one between William the representative of
Christ and the forces of darkness. Their victory meant that the
Protestants had "won" Ireland, and it justified their
ascendancy. King William's victory was followed by systematic
efforts to Protestantize Irel