Williamite facts for kids
A Williamite was someone who supported King William III of England. He became King of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1689. William took the throne from King James II and VII during an event called the Glorious Revolution. William was also the leader, or Stadtholder, of the Dutch Republic. He became king with help from a group in England called the Whigs.
William wanted England to join his group, the League of Augsburg. This group was fighting against France in a big war called the Nine Years' War. For William's supporters in England, Scotland, and Ireland, he was seen as a protector. They believed he would keep their civil and religious freedoms safe. They also saw him as a defender of the Protestant monarchy against Catholic rulers who wanted total power.
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The Williamite War in Ireland
The word "Williamite" is also often used to describe William's army in Ireland. This army was made up of soldiers from many different countries. They fought in the Williamite War in Ireland from 1689 to 1691.
In Ireland, most Protestants supported William. Most native Irish and Anglo-Irish Catholics supported King James. These supporters of James were called Jacobites.
Why the War Started
When James II became king in 1685, he made changes in Ireland. His main representative, Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, started replacing Protestants with Catholics in the government. The Royal Irish Army also changed. Protestant officers and soldiers were removed and replaced by Catholics. Even the local armed groups, called the Irish Militia, had their weapons taken away. These weapons were then given to Catholics.
Early Battles
In response, Irish Protestants formed their own army in 1689. They called it the Army of the North. They declared William of Orange their new King. They also started taking control of important places, especially in Ulster and around Cork.
However, the Jacobite Irish Army fought back. They took control of Bandon. They also defeated the Army of the North during the Break of Dromore. Soon, only two places, Derry and Enniskillen, were still holding out against James's forces.
Williamite Victories
After these early challenges, William's forces began to win. They successfully defended Derry and captured Carrickfergus in 1689.
Later, two very important battles took place. These were the Battle of the Boyne and the Battle of Aughrim. These victories led to a final win for William's side at the Siege of Limerick by 1691.
King William himself led his forces at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. This battle is still remembered in many paintings, like The Battle of the Boyne by Benjamin West. William is also a very important symbol for the Orange Order. This group is named after William's family, the House of Orange-Nassau. The "Williamite Purple Star" is still part of the flag of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland.
Images for kids
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Stoke House (1695) from an old book about British architecture.
Sources
- J.G. Simms, Jacobite Ireland, London 1969
