Godert de Ginkel Biography

Birth of Godart van Ginkel

Birth of Godert de Ginkell, 1st Earl of Athlone

Joins William, Prince of Orange, in his expedition to England - the "Glorious Revolution" which deposed James II

Accompanies William III to England

Ginkell distinguished himself by a memorable exploit, the pursuit, defeat and capture of a Scottish regiment that had mutinied for James at Ipswich, and was marching northward across the fens

Ginkel captures Athlone

Commands the Capture of Athlone

Ginkel captures Limerick

Appointed Commander of the English forces in Ireland on behalf of William of Orange

Ginkell accompanied William III to Ireland to take on the Franco-Irish Jacobites, and commanded a body of Dutch cavalry at the Battle of the Boyne

Accompanies William III to Ireland to put down the Irish Jacobites, and commands a body of Dutch cavalry at the Battle of the Boyne

Ginkell accompanied William III to Ireland to take on the Franco-Irish Jacobites, and commanded a body of Dutch cavalry at the Battle of the Boyne

Commands an Orange victory

Commands an Orange victory

Takes command in Ireland in the spring of 1691, and establishes his headquarters at Mullingar

Takes to the field in the spring of 1691, and establishes his headquarters at Mullingar

Ginkell took the fortress of Ballymore, capturing the whole garrison of 1,000 men. After reconstructing the fortifications of Ballymore, the army marched to Athlone, then one of the most important of the fortified towns of Ireland and key to the Jacobite defensive position, as it bridged the River Shannon

After reconstructing the fortifications of Ballymore, the army marches to Athlone, then one of the most important of the fortified towns of Ireland and key to the Jacobite defensive position, as it bridged the river Shannon

Takes the fortress of Ballymore, capturing the whole garrison of 1,000 men

The firing begins on June 19, and on June 30 the town is stormed, the Irish army retreating towards Galway

Godert de Ginkell, the Williamites Dutch general, had breached the Jacobite line of defence by crossing the Shannon at Athlone - taking the town after a bloody siege

13 July.

A stunning defeat of the fleeing Franco-Irish followed in the confusion and darkness, with some 4000 corpses left on the field. Having strengthened the fortifications of Athlone and having left a garrison there, Ginkel leads the English to Aughrim.

An immediate attack was resolved on, and, after a severe and at one time doubtful contest, the crisis was precipitated by the fall of the Franco-Irish leader, the French General Charles Chalmont, Marquis de St Ruth, after which his disorganized forces fled in the ensuing darkness of the early-morning of

As St Ruth tried to rally his cavalry on the left to counter-attack and drive the Williamite horse back, he was decapitated by a cannon ball, at this point, the Jacobite position collapsed very quickly

Both armies were about 20,000 men strong, the soldiers of St Ruth's army were mostly Irish Catholic, while Ginkel's were English, Scottish, Danish, Dutch and French Huguenot (members of William IIIs League of Augsburg) and Ulster Protestants.

Defeats the Irish Jacobites, the Battle of Aughrim all but decides the war in the Williamite favour.

Ginkel marched through Ballinasloe, on the main road towards Limerick and Galway, before he found his way blocked by St Ruth's army at Aughrim on the 12th of July 1691.

Godert de Ginkell, the Williamites Dutch general, had breached the Jacobite line of defence by crossing the Shannon at Athlone - taking the town after a bloody siege.

The Battle of Aughrim all but decided the war in the Williamites favour.

Both armies were about 20,000 men strong, the soldiers of St Ruths army were mostly Irish Catholic, while Ginkels were English, Scottish, Danish, Dutch and French Huguenot (members of William IIIs League of Augsburg) and Ulster Protestants

Galway next capitulates, its garrison being permitted to retire to Limeric. Galway next capitulated, its garrison being permitted to retire to Limerick

The Treaty of Limerick ends the Williamite war in Ireland between the Jacobites and the supporters of William of Orange

Concludes the siege of Limerick

The Treaty of Limerick ends the Williamite war in Ireland between the Jacobites and the supporters of William of Orange

Created Earl of Athlone, 1st

Created Baron Aughrim

Created Earl Athlone, 1st

Created Baron Aughrim

Created Earl of Athlone, 1st

Created Baron Aughrim

Death of Godart van Ginkel