Battle of the Boyne & Orangemen’s Day (The Twelfth)

Date: 

July 12 (Though the actual battle occurred on July 1, 1690, new-style Gregorian calendar places it on July 12)

Historical Background: The Battle of the Boyne (1690)

Context

The Battle of the Boyne was a decisive conflict in the struggle for the English, Scottish, and Irish thrones between:

• King William III of Orange (Protestant)
  vs.

• Deposed King James II of England and VII of Scotland (Catholic)

Political and Religious Background

• James II, a Catholic monarch, was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution (1688) by Protestant nobles who invited his Protestant son-in-law and nephew, William of Orange, to take the throne.

• James fled to France, then to Ireland, where he still had support among Catholic Irish who hoped he would restore their land and religious freedom.

• William sought to crush James's resistance in Ireland and consolidate his power over the British Isles.

The Battle

• Took place on July 1, 1690 (Old Style) / July 12 (New Style), near the River Boyne, north of Drogheda in eastern Ireland.

• William led about 36,000 troops (English, Dutch, German, and Danish), while James had around 25,000 troops, mostly Irish Catholics and French forces.

• William’s army outmaneuvered and defeated James’s forces.

• James fled to France, never to return — hence his nickname “Seamus a' chaca” (James the Shit) among some Irish folk tradition.

Outcome and Importance

• Cemented Protestant dominance in Ireland.

• Marked the beginning of Protestant Ascendancy, where Irish political power was controlled by the Anglican elite.

• Symbolized the survival of Protestantism in Britain and defeat of efforts to restore Catholic monarchy.

 PART 1: THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE — HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Date of Battle:

• Old Style (Julian Calendar): July 1, 1690

• New Style (Gregorian Calendar): July 12, 1690

Why Two Dates?

• England switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1752. While the battle occurred on July 1 under the Julian system, it aligns with July 12 on the Gregorian calendar—hence why The Twelfth is celebrated then.

Who Were the Main Figures?

Person	Role	Religion
King William III of Orange	Reigning monarch (Protestant)	Dutch Calvinist Protestant
King James II of England and Ireland / VII of Scotland	Deposed monarch trying to reclaim the throne	Roman Catholic

The Battle Itself

• Location: Near Drogheda, at the River Boyne, County Meath, Ireland.

• William's army: ~36,000, multinational (Dutch, English, Scottish, Danish, and Huguenots).

• James's army: ~25,000, mainly Irish Catholic and some French troops.

• Strategy: William crossed the river upstream to flank James's forces.

• Outcome: Williamite victory, James retreated to Dublin and fled to France.

Significance of Victory

• Secured the Protestant English throne.

• Confirmed the Glorious Revolution (1688) and constitutional monarchy in England.

• Ensured Protestantism remained the dominant religion in Britain and Ireland.

• Cemented the "Protestant Ascendancy" in Ireland (political, economic, and legal power held by Anglicans).

PART 2: ORIGINS OF "THE TWELFTH" / ORANGEMEN'S DAY

Formation of the Orange Order

• Founded in 1795 in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

• Named in honor of William of Orange.

• Created to defend Protestant civil and religious liberties and support the British monarchy.

• Members are typically Anglican, Presbyterian, or Methodist Protestants.

The Twelfth: Origins of the Holiday

• Began as local commemorations in the 18th century.

• By the 19th century, became institutionalized and grew into a formal holiday.

• Now observed annually on July 12, especially in Northern Ireland.

PART 3: MODERN CELEBRATIONS OF THE TWELFTH

Organized by:

• The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland and local Orange lodges.

Parades and Marches

• Feature marching bands, color guards, banners, and fraternal members in traditional dress:

  • Orange sashes

  • Black bowler hats

  • White gloves

• Parade themes include:

  • Celebrating the Battle of the Boyne

  • Loyalty to the Union (UK)

  • Protestant Christian faith

  • Cultural identity and heritage

• “Field Day”: Parades typically end at a “field” or central location for speeches, picnics, and family activities.

Eleventh Night Bonfires (July 11)

• Massive bonfires built in Protestant areas the night before the Twelfth.

• Traditionally include:

  • Wooden pallets

  • Flags (sometimes including controversial burnings of Irish tricolors, papal flags, or pictures of republican figures)

  • Sometimes effigies of historical or political rivals

• Include music, fireworks, and large gatherings.

PART 4: POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CONTROVERSY

Flashpoints

Issue	Description
Marching Routes	Some parades pass near or through Catholic/nationalist areas, leading to conflict.
Flag Burning	Seen by many as provocative, sectarian, and hateful.
Paramilitary Links	Some parades have alleged ties to loyalist groups (e.g., UVF, UDA).
Noise and Public Order	Bonfires and parades can cause community tension and riots.

Peace-Building Efforts

• Parades Commission: A government body in Northern Ireland that regulates parade routes to prevent violence.

• Cross-community dialogue: Local initiatives to de-escalate tensions and promote respectful celebration.

• Some Orange lodges now voluntarily avoid contentious areas or work with Catholic neighbors.

PART 5: OBSERVANCE OUTSIDE NORTHERN IRELAND

Canada – Especially Newfoundland and Labrador

• Known as Orangemen’s Day.

• In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a public holiday on the Monday closest to July 12.

• Observed with parades, church services, and public gatherings.

• No longer a statutory holiday, but some communities still hold ceremonial events.

Other Regions:

• Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand: Home to Orange Lodges that may observe the day with smaller parades or commemorations.

PART 6: SYMBOLS & THEMES OF THE TWELFTH

Symbol	Meaning
Orange Sash	Loyalty to William of Orange
Union Jack	British identity and unionism
Red Hand of Ulster	Ulster-Scots heritage
Lodge Banners	Often depict King William, biblical scenes, or local lodge history
Lambeg Drums	Loud traditional drums, associated with Ulster Protestant culture

PART 7: THE TWELFTH IN A POST-CONFLICT SOCIETY

The Troubles (1969–1998)

• A 30-year period of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland between:

  • Unionists/Loyalists (mostly Protestant, pro-British)

  • Nationalists/Republicans (mostly Catholic, pro-Irish unity)

• The Twelfth became a symbol of identity and defiance, but also a source of conflict.

Post-Good Friday Agreement

• Ongoing efforts to "de-sectarianize" the holiday.

• Some Orange Order branches are:

  • Encouraging more inclusive events

  • Hosting history talks and cultural days to educate wider communities

  • Participating in cross-community dialogue

PART 8: Main Theme

Element	Details
Event Commemorated	Battle of the Boyne (1690)
Date Celebrated	July 12
Organized by	Orange Order
Key Themes	Protestant identity, British loyalty, victory over Catholicism
Traditional Events	Bonfires (July 11), parades (July 12), field days
Controversies	Sectarian tensions, offensive symbolism, paramilitary ties
Modern Trends	Dialogue, reform, education, regulated parades
Primary Region	Northern Ireland (also Scotland, Canada, Australia)

Orangemen’s Day / The Twelfth of July

When Celebrated:

• Every year on July 12, primarily in Northern Ireland, and in smaller communities in Scotland, Canada, and Newfoundland.

Who Are the Orangemen?

• The Orange Order (founded in 1795) is a Protestant fraternal organization.

• Named after William of Orange, it promotes Protestant values, unionism, and loyalty to the British crown.

• Members often wear orange sashes, white gloves, bowler hats, and carry banners and flags.

Modern Celebrations: The Twelfth

Parades

• The day is marked by large, colorful Orange Order parades.

• Marching bands, bagpipes, flute bands, and drum corps accompany the parades.

• Participants march with flags, sashes, and banners, often depicting King William or scenes from the battle.

Eleventh Night Bonfires (July 11)

• Massive bonfires are lit in Protestant communities across Northern Ireland.

• Traditionally made of wooden pallets, and sometimes include Irish tricolours or nationalist symbols, which has sparked controversy.

Additional Activities:

• Family gatherings

• Community BBQs

• Concerts and dances

• Religious services and speeches

Unionism and Identity

The Twelfth is strongly associated with:

• Unionism: Loyalty to the United Kingdom.

• Protestant cultural pride

• A sense of political heritage and religious freedom.

Many Orangemen see the event as a celebration of civil and religious liberty achieved by William’s victory.

Controversy and Sectarian Tensions

Points of Controversy:

• Route of Marches: Some parades pass through or near Catholic/nationalist areas, which has led to decades of protests, riots, and violence.

• Bonfires: Often politically charged—burning Irish flags or Catholic symbols can inflame tensions.

• Paramilitary Involvement: Some marches or bonfires have been linked to loyalist paramilitary groups.

Peace Efforts:

• Since the Good Friday Agreement (1998), efforts have been made to calm sectarian tensions around the Twelfth.

• Groups like the Parades Commission regulate parade routes to reduce confrontation.

International Observance

Canada:

• Newfoundland and Labrador once observed Orangemen’s Day as a public holiday on the Monday closest to July 12, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Still recognized in some areas as a heritage event, but no longer an official statutory holiday.

Australia & Others:

• Small Orange lodges exist in Australia, Scotland, and the U.S., which may observe the day with gatherings or symbolic parades.