Kings, marshals & governors
The commanders of the War of the Grand Alliance included kings, colonial politicians, talented engineers and a hunchback
Europe’s statesmen and military talents were pitted against one another
THE LAST STUART KING, WHO FAILED TO REGAIN HIS BRITISH THRONES IN IRELAND 1633-1701 ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND IRELAND
James had first seen combat aged only nine when he was present at the Battle of Edgehill in 1642 at the beginning of the British Civil Wars. He then went on to command the Royal Navy during the Second and Third Dutch Wars under his brother Charles II.
When he became king in 1685, James expanded the size of his armies, but the Protestant William of Orange deposed him only three years later because of his pro-catholic policies. James’s deposition indirectly started the War of the Grand Alliance,
JAMES II
but the exiled king was determined to reclaim his thrones.
With the support of Louis XIV, James landed in Ireland in 1689 and garnered Irish Catholic support for his restoration. James besieged Protestant Derry, but William III successfully relieved the city. In
July 1690 the armies of James and William clashed at the Battle of the Boyne, which resulted in a victory for William. Although the battle was not decisive, the defeat broke James’s nerve and he quickly fled back to France, never to return.