A poem "The battle of the Boyne, 1690, civil and religious liberty for all.”

As we once again rightly celebrate with great joy the battle of the Boyne we must remember its importance as an historical event that brought so many freedoms we enjoyed before undemocratic and evil European Union rule was foisted on us.

The battle of the Boyne fought on the 1st of July, 1690 between the Williamite forces of joint British monarchs King William III and Queen Mary II and the Jacobite forces of King James II (William’s father in law) was a world changing event.  It was a European war that saw both Kings meet in battle at the Boyne in Ireland and that was significant in terms of the British throne of England, Scotland and Ireland. King James II believed in the right of a King to rule with absolute power, he was backed by Louis XIV who thought of himself as a god.   The defeat of King James at the Boyne would see him flee Ireland, never to return and in doing so he would lose his claim to the throne.

But even more importantly William’s victory at the Boyne as part of a wider European conflict against despotic rule in Europe ensured not just his survival but also the Grand Alliance of nations against Louis XIV an absolute ruling monarch and dictator.  It would establish the idea of civil and religious liberty and democracy as part of a constitutional monarchy.  And which laid the foundational principles for modern constitutional democracy and parliamentary supremacy through the Glorious Revolution and Bill of Rights.  The freedoms won at the battle of the Boyne not just changed European history but world history for the better. 

On the 336th anniversary that should still be celebrated despite Northern Ireland in 2026 sadly being bound by the chains of slavery in EU Rule that is Evil Union Rule.

This is a little poem I have written called “The battle of the Boyne, 1690, civil and religious liberty for all.”

On Boyne's royal water; July the first; a glorious day,

For civil and religious liberty; King William III; led the fray.

Bill of Rights and his Standard of freedom; proudly flown high,

William of Orange crossing victorious; beneath a true blue sky.

Two kings met in battle; royal British throne decided; so grand,

Sixteen ninety; the Glorious Revolution in Ireland; at hand.

King James II; a puppet of Louis XIV; with slavery chains in hold,

But William; brave William’s courage; a story of valour told.

James and despots of Europe defeated; arbitrary power did cease,

A new dawn was breaking; bringing freedom, liberty and peace.

On banks of the Boyne river flowing; God’s judgement of might,

Where freedom was delivered; and darkness turned to light.

The battle of the Boyne; world change; felt profoundly deep,

In glorious memory; and grateful remembrance to keep.

For freedom; the orange and purple still held high to see,

A great victory against tyranny won; liberty for you and for me.

Stevan D. T. Patterson, Castlederg, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, UK