This Day in History: 1688-12-09
In 1688 William of Orange defeated James II at the Battle of Reading
The battle occurred in the town of Reading, Berkshire, and is often remembered as one of the few instances of armed conflict during the largely peaceful ‘Glorious Revolution’.
In November 1688, William of Orange landed in England with a substantial force, intent on deposing James II, whose Catholicism and autocratic policies had alienated much of the English population, including influential Protestants and Parliamentarians. William’s goal was to ensure a Protestant monarchy and uphold parliamentary governance. His forces advanced from the southwest of England toward London, gathering support along the way. Meanwhile, James’s forces were struggling with low morale and desertions, as many of his soldiers and officers defected to William’s side.
The confrontation at Reading unfolded when a detachment of James II’s forces, numbering around 600 men and commanded by Patrick Sarsfield, clashed with William’s advancing troops. William’s forces, largely Dutch soldiers, quickly overpowered the royal troops after a brief skirmish. The fighting resulted in several casualties, with estimates of around 50 fatalities, and ended with James’s forces retreating. This minor yet symbolic defeat further demoralized James’s army and underscored his waning support.
On the 9th of December 1688 William of Orange defeated James II at the Battle of Reading (not to be confused with the battle of Reading of 871 during the Viking Invasion of England) and soon after he and his wife Mary became joint monarchs of England, Ireland and Scotland in what became known as “the Glorious Revolution”. He was deeply opposed to French King Louise XIV who had tried to invade his homeland of the Dutch Republic. James was placed in custody in the Netherlands but escaped shortly after on the 23rd of December 1688 and he fled to France. He was welcomed by his cousin Louise XIV.
The following year James sailed to Ireland to build an army and on the 1st of July 1690, his army was defeated by William III at the battle of the Boyne. James returned to France and died on the 16th of September 1701.
His son, James Francis Stuart, was immediately proclaimed James III (VIII in Scotland) of the Kingdoms by the French King Louise XVI and his supporters who later became known as “Jacobites”. In 1715 James led a Jacobite uprising in Scotland which failed.
In 1745 his son, Charles Edward Stuart (known as the Young Pretender), led another Jacobite rising which began in victory with the Battle of Gladsmuir (also known as the Battle of Prestonpans). The English forces were quickly defeated in this battle giving Charles Edward Stuart, and the Jacobites, a huge morale boost. But their victory was short lived and the following year the final Jacobite uprising ended in their defeat on the 16th of April 1745 at the Battle of Culloden.