By 1688, Roman Catholic King James II had so alienated the Protestant majority of England that they ousted him from the throne. At the request of Parliament, William Prince of Orange became king and James fled to Ireland, his Catholic stronghold. William attacked the banks of the Boyne in July of 1690. Peter recounts each attempt by the Jacobites to repel the Williamites, while Dan attempts to understand the difficulties of the frontline troops who had to cross the river whilst keeping their gunpowder dry.