1. Can you guess which part of Irish history this is commemorating and why?

2. How did the Battle of the Boyne, 1690 result in a Protestant takeover of Ireland?

3. Lesson objectives...
To investigate why the Protestants were suspicious of the Catholic Church
To analyse what affect the Battle of the Boyne had on the conflict in Ireland
To realise the motives behind the Battle of the Boyne

4. The history so far...
James I Prot
James II (Catholic) was the son of Charles I (Protestant, who had a Catholic wife). When Charles II died, James became King of England, Scotland and Ireland
His brother Charles II had governed with a Protestant parliament but had leaned towards Catholicism
Charles I
Prot
James II
Cath
Charles II
Prot/Cath

5. The build up to the Battle of the Boyne...
The full story begins in England in The Catholic King of England, James II, was causing great concern to his mainly Protestant subjects
Most Protestants felt that the Catholic Church threatened both political and religious liberty (freedom)
People in the 17th century did not separate these two ideas. They believed the Church would not tolerate any religious ideas other than its own. They also felt that in Catholic countries the Church had too much political power and influence
William (III of Orange V
James II

6. The Glorious Revolution…
The Stuart king James II ( ) attempted a Catholic restoration which brought a severe resistance from the Anglican Church. The unexpected birth of an heir to the throne brought about the threat of a permanent Catholic dynasty for England

7. Your task... Look at the A3 sheet “The story of King Billy”
Use an orange pencil to shade anything that is to do with William of Orange
Use a green pencil to shade anything that is to do with James II

8. Why is the Battle of the Boyne so important today?
It is remembered and interpreted in different ways by Catholics and Protestants – it helps to justify their actions and beliefs.
Remember – it is not the actual event in history that causes the conflict in Ireland, but more the way that the event is remembered and interpreted and used as justification for beliefs and actions

9. It’s not the history that’s the problem…
The Irish News, December 1991
“ Indeed many of the troubles which beset Ireland at the end
of the twentieth century have been caused by those who
believe it is more important to build a country fit for our
ancestors rather than our children. It has become popular to
blame history for our present situation. But the real blame lies with the tunnel vision of those who prefer
to take a partial view of the history of this island. These people are a tiny minority, yet by exploiting the fears of others they have gained the initiative.”

10. It’s not the history that’s the problem…
An IRA volunteer – explaining why he joined in the 1970’s
“My attraction to the IRA was not initially based on the sight or experience of any particular social injustice... It was the discovery of the tragedies of Irish history... And the best part of that history i imbibed (absorbed) alone at home reading books in the family library. It was the pure political injustice of British rule in Ireland against the wishes of the Irish people which fired my anger...”

11. Why was the Battle of the Boyne so important?
The Boyne was a turning point for the authority and power of Protestants in Ireland
Defeat in this war left the Catholic Irish politically helpless and leaderless
After 1690 Protestants made sure they had complete control of Ireland
Protestants prevented any further attempts by Catholics to regain power…

12. The Penal Laws
The purpose of the Penal Laws, which were directed at education and property rights as much as the practice of religion, was to keep the ‘untrustworthy majority’ (Irish Catholics) poor and powerless
The Irish were no longer an independent nation

13. Your task...
Stick in the sheet “Two sides of victory at the Boyne” and highlight the key aspects

14. Lesson objectives...
To investigate why the Protestants were suspicious of the Catholic Church
To analyse what affect the Battle of the Boyne had on the conflict in Ireland
To realise the motives behind the Battle of the Boyne