'1691' by Joe Joyce

                                       

A novel in set in Ireland during the  Jacobite-Williamite Wars .

On 5th November 1688  Dutch 'stadholder' William of Orange landed at Brixham with a force of 14,000 troops. His father in law James II, gave up the throne with very little fight, and went into exile. William and his wife Mary became joint monarchs. The change of regime was fairly trouble free for England and Wales, went not quite so smoothly in Scotland. Yet in Ireland war broke out. Both James and William  soon headed armies in Ireland, and at the battle of the Boyne of 12th July 1690, William defeated the supporters of James -the Jacobites- and seized control of Dublin. But war carried on well into 1691, even though both James and William left Ireland. 

There is a great deal to admire in  the novel '1691' written by Irish historian and fiction writer Joe Joyce, perhaps better known for his novels set in Ireland in World War 2- or 'The Emergency' . The author's extensive knowledge of the key events that occurred in Ireland is self evident. The leading military commanders, Tyrconnell, Patrick Sarsfeld, Marquis de Saint-Ruhe, Baron de Ginckel, Hugh Mackay all appear, and the point of view switches between the two sides.  The fact that both the Jacobites and Williamite forces were international armies is emphasised. In the former the French antagonised their Irish and Scottish allies. In the latter the Dutch and Germans faced tense relations with the English,Welsh  and Scots. Of course the religious division is significant, and also events took on an international importance. William of Orange was also heading a continental alliance against Louis XIV of France, who in turn aided the Irish Jacobites, continually waiting for another French fleet to save them. The author avoids offering a romantic view of the conflict. 

The depiction of the  battle of Aughrim ( taking place in County Galway on 12th July 1691) , which  began as a potential Jacobite victory but turned into a Williamite success with horrendous loss of life to the Jacobites, later in the day, is engaging and authentic.  The subsequent siege of Limerick is conveyed well. But perhaps the novel's great triumph concerns how the Treaty of Limerick was concluded. The diplomatic wrangling and the final double crossing is fascinating. Can't think of many historical novels where the signing of a treaty becomes so interesting. '1691' ends with many of the surviving Jacobites departing for France. Some were French soldiers returning home, others were Irishmen ready to fight in Europe who became known as the Wild Geese. 

So heartily recommend this novel. Especially as the Irish war following the Battle of the Boyne gets so overlooked. Also  have to admit that I  find the lives of  'first wave' Jacobites more interesting than those that followed. A classic work on this subject is John Callow's ''James II King in Exile' 

Was pleased to ask Joe Joyce some questions via email. 

1. Very obvious question but seeing as you have researched the key events of 1691 such as the Battle of Aughrim and the Treaty of Limerick, why did you choose to write a novel as opposed to a historical work on the subject? 

 I had previously written non-fiction books and thrillers and had come to realize that historical fiction, combining research with fictional-style writing, suited me best. It had culminated in a trilogy of spy novels set in neutral Ireland during the Second World War. When it came to writing about 1691, to write it in fictional form while staying as true as possible to the events as we know them was the obvious choice for me.

2. Probably another predictable question, why has the Battle of Boyne ( 12th July 1690)  gained so much in significance when as '1691' highlights so well, the war carried on into the following year and the battle of Aughrim was far more decisive in ending the Jacobite cause in Ireland? 

 The battle of the Boyne was of great strategic importance as it gave the Williamites control of Dublin and two-thirds or more of Ireland. Also, both kings, William 111 and James 11, were present, the only time they faced each other on a battlefield. 

The Boyne was fought on July 1st (1690) under the Julian calendar and Aughrim the following year on July 12th. For a century or more afterwards, July 12th was celebrated as the battle of Aughrim and seen as the most decisive of the war. When Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar in the mid-18th century it meant the Boyne took place on July 12th and that became the battle that is still commemorated most-widely.

3. You quote from Richard Murphy's poem 'The Battle of Aughrim' . Has this battle been the subject of much drama  poetry, songs etc in Ireland ? Was wondering if this particular phase of the Williamite-Jacobite war has inspired much in the way of fiction. 

The war has not inspired much fiction that I'm aware of. But the events of 1691 in particular are remembered in poems like 'Forget Not the Field' by Thomas Moore and 'After Aughrim' by Emily Lawless and in many laments. You can hear some of them along with contemporary marching songs in a soundtrack to the book on Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3iVrzHe) that I put together while writing it.

4. How has the fact that you were brought up near the actual battle site of Aughrim had an impact on the novel?

Growing up in the village of Aughrim (population, about 100) was the inspiration for writing the book. It was a lovely rural area to roam as a child and its battlefield was effectively our playground, giving me a great sense of its geography/topography. The original idea for the book was the battle itself but I felt, once I began to work on it that I had to explain how it came about and its immediate consequences, hence the focus on the year.

5. Do you have any recommended further reading  on the events of 1691 in Ireland?

 There are many history books on the Williamite War in Ireland such as John Childs' "Williamite Wars in Ireland"; on Aughrim specifically, "St Ruth's Fatal Gamble" by Michael McNally; and "Patrick Sarsfield" by Piers Wauchope (a life of the Irish hero which includes his roles at Sedgemoor and Wincanton as well as in the Irish campaign).

6. Are you going to revisit the 17th century as a background for future books? 

I don't have any plans to write again about the 17th century; my next book will be set on the Riviera during WW2.  But my interest in that very turbulent time has been increased by writing 1691. Peter Ackroyd's "Civil War" is near the top of my to-be-read pile.

Ends

Thank you to Joe Joyce for his response....and check out his author's website and Twitter  joejoyce100 

I thought I would end with some line from the  1968 poem : The Battle of Aughrim by Richard Murphy,  Extract from 'The Sheepfold'

"Through glacial esker, by the river Suck

They choose the bog path to the richer camp

With tongues to talk and secret prayers for luck.

All day packhorses laden westwards tramp

Trundling bronze cannon behind casques of shot,

While eastwards, armed with spite, two traitors limp

The Danish mercenaries they chance to meet

Standing in hogweed, sheltered by a ditch,

Assume they're spies, with no one to translate.

So fetch them to a grey horse, where the Dutch

Commander who serves England's Orange king

Shakes hands, and gives them each a purse to clutch.

While a blond adjutant runs off to bring

The gunner Trench, who'll need their eyes next day,

When the cold cannon mouths start uttering. "

Taken from Poetry International website . More to follow once I can locate the whole poem. 

As ever I wish to thank readers of this blog for showing their interest. Hope that everyone is as safe and sell as can expected and that we can look forward to more fulfilling times soon. 

Michael Bully 

Some helpful links 

1691 The Battle of Aughrim Visitors Centre

Wars of Louis Quatorze  Excellent blog. 

Other Blogs by Michael Bully 

13th century history  ( not currently active) 

World War 2 poetry

Twitter   A Burnt Ship @ShipBurnt