THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER I. A Cursory View of England and Ireland anterior to the Accession of James II 9 CHAPTER II. The Reign of James II. in England--The Invasion of William, Prince of Orange. From 1685 to 1688 26 CHAPTER III. Events preceding Hostilities in Ireland--The preparatory Measures of Tyrconnel 41 CHAPTER IV. From the Commencement of Hostilities to the Landing of King James in Ireland 58 CHAPTER V. The Battle of Cladiford--The Investment of Derry--Proceedings of Parliament 74 CHAPTER VI. The Battle of Newtown Butler, and the Relief of Enniskillen and Derry 90 CHAPTER VII. The Landing of Marshal Schomberg, and his Winter Campaign 108 CHAPTER VIII. Schomberg's Campaign continued--The Arrival of the Prince of Orange 112 CHAPTER IX. The Battle of the Boyne 125 CHAPTER X. Final departure of King James--A Retrospect of his Character 152 CHAPTER XI. The Surrender of Drogheda and Dublin--The First Siege of Athlone 160 CHAPTER XII. The Siege of Limerick 174 CHAPTER XIII. The Arrival of the Duke of Marlborough--The Siege of Cork and Kinsale 193 CHAPTER XIV. The Winter of 1690 206 CHAPTER XV. Arrival of St. Ruth--Ginckle takes the field 222 CHAPTER XVI. The Siege of Athlone 239 CHAPTER XVII. The Interval from July 1st to the 12th 267 CHAPTER XVIII. The Battle of Aughrim 292 THE BATTLE-FIELDS OF IRELAND. CHAPTER I. A CURSORY VIEW OF ENGLAND AND IRELAND ANTERIOR TO THE ACCESSION OF JAMES II. Few monarchs ever ascended the English throne under more unfavorable auspices than James II. Though he reached it in the order of legitimate right, it was at a time when the monarchy of England was well-nigh divested of its most vital prerogatives, and when the voice of the sovereign had little more weight in the national councils than that of any ordinarily dissentient member; and to this were superadded rivalries, jealousies, and hatreds, which having their sources in remoter times, gathered strength like the rivers, and grew deeper and darker in their course.