Boyne, Battle of the, was the decisive battle in the struggle between former King James II of England and his successor, William III, for the control of Ireland. It was fought near the River Boyne, northwest of Dublin.
James II was a Roman Catholic, and the Catholics ruled Ireland during his reign. The English removed James from the throne in 1688, and made William III, a Protestant, king in 1689. James fled to France, and then to Ireland, where he organized an army to fight William. The English defeated James on the banks of the Boyne on July 11, 1690. The war ended with the Treaty of Limerick in 1691. The Battle of the Boyne marked the beginning of Protestant control over Catholics in Ireland. Its anniversary is celebrated by Protestants in Northern Ireland.
