The siege of Athlone was part of the

Williamite War in Ireland The Williamite War in Ireland (1688–1691; ga, Cogadh an Dá Rí, "war of the two kings"), was a conflict between Jacobite supporters of deposed monarch James II and Williamite supporters of his successor, William III. It is also called th ...

between the supporters of King James II, who were known as

Jacobites Jacobite means follower of Jacob or James. Jacobite may refer to: Religion * Jacobites, followers of Saint Jacob Baradaeus (died 578). Churches in the Jacobite tradition and sometimes called Jacobite include: ** Syriac Orthodox Church, sometimes ...

, and the supporters of King William of Orange. The siege began on July 17, 1690 when Williamite Lieutenant-General James Douglas arrived outside the Jacobite held city of

Athlone Athlone (; ) is a town on the border of County Roscommon and County Westmeath, Ireland. It is located on the River Shannon near the southern shore of Lough Ree. It is the second most populous town in the Midlands Region with a population of ...

with ten regiments of foot and five regiments of horse for a total force of 12,000. The Governor of Athlone, Colonel

Richard Grace Colonel Richard Grace (–1691) was an Irish Royalist soldier who fought for Charles I, Charles II and James II. He served in the Royalist Army in Exile during the 1650s. Biography Grace, the younger son of Robert Grace, feudal baron of ...

decided to defend the western part of the city. The Jacobite troops destroyed the bridge over the Shannon River that connected the eastern and western parts of the city, before the Williamite Army arrived. The city's garrison consisted of three regiments of foot and eleven troops of horse for a total force of about 4,500. General Douglas sent a messenger to Colonel Grace demanding he surrender the city. Colonel Grace responded by firing a pistol shot over the head of the messenger and stating "These are my terms; these only, I will give or receive, and when my provisions are consumed, I will defend till I eat my old boots." General Douglas commenced a bombardment of the city with twelve cannon and two mortars, the city of Athlone's guns returned fire. After two days the Williamite Army attempted to ford the Shannon River but were repelled with considerable loss. The artillery fire continued between the two sides until July 24 when General Douglas was forced to retire having suffered about 400 casualties, and having been informed that Patrick Sarsfield and the Jacobite Cavalry were en route to relieve the city of Athlone's garrison. Although the Jacobites withstood the week long siege, a year later the Williamite Army returned and took the city. Governor Richard Grace died defending the city during the 2nd

siege of Athlone Athlone was besieged twice during the Williamite War in Ireland (1689–91). The town is situated in the centre of Ireland on the River Shannon and commanded the bridge crossing the river into the Jacobite-held province of Connacht. For this r ...

in 1691.

References

* O'Callaghan, John, ''History of The Irish Brigades in the Service of France'', Cameron & Ferguson, 1870 * Blake-Forster, Charles, ''The Irish Chieftains; or, A Struggle for the Crown'', McGlashan & Gill, 1872
"The Siege of Limerick (1690)" from ''A Concise History of Ireland'' by P. W. Joyce
LibraryIreland.com

External links

Colonel Richard Grace
at LibraryIreland.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Athlone (1690, Siege of Battles of the Williamite War in Ireland Conflicts in 1690 Sieges involving Ireland 1690 in Ireland