BOSCOBEL.—Here Charles II concealed himself in an oak tree after the fatal battle of Worcester, September 3rd, 1651. The whole army of the Prince was either killed or taken prisoners by Cromwell, and Charles ultimately escaped with great difficulty.
BOSTON.—Here the first resistance was made to the British authority by the American Colonies, in 1773. Besieged by the British next year, and two houses destroyed. In June 1775, the scene of a battle between the royal and the independent troops. Finally evacuated by the King’s troops, April, 1776.—See Bunker’s Hill.
BOSWORTH, BATTLE OF.—This battle was the thirteenth and last, between the houses of York and Lancaster.—Fought August 22nd, 1485. The crown of Richard III was found in a hawthorn bush, on the plain where the battle was fought, and so eager was Henry of Richmond to be crowned, that he had the ceremony performed on the very spot, with that very crown. “Richard advanced to meet his rival as far us the town of Bosworth. Henry, who had been joined by some of the Stanleys, and whose army now counted six thousand men, had reached the neighbouring town of Atherton. Next morning, the 22nd of August, 1485, both armies were set in battle-array on the moor called Redmore. Richard was dismayed when he saw the Stanleys opposed to him; but he soon displayed his wonted courage. Observing part of his troops inactive and others wavering, he resolved to make one desperate effort and conquer or fall, and crying out “Treason, treason!” and giving his horse the spurs, he rushed to where he saw Richmond. He killed his standard-bearer and made a furious stroke at Henry himself, which was warded off by Sir William Stanley, and Richard was thrown from his horse and slain. Lord Stanley taking up the crown which he wore, placed it on the head of Richmond, and shouts of “Long live King Henry!” were instantly raised all over the field. The loss on Richard’s side in this decisive battle was three hundred, that on Henry’s only one hundred men. The body of Richard was stripped, and being thrown across a horse, was conveyed to Leicester and there interred, and many years after his coffin could be seen used as a horse-trough.” “Sic transit gloria mundi.”
BOULOGNE.—France.—Taken by the British in 1542, restored 1550—attacked by Lord Nelson, who disabled ten vessels and sunk five, August 3rd, 1801. In another attempt he was repulsed with great loss, August 18th, following. The flotilla of Boulogne consisted of 160,000 men and 10,000 horses, with 1300 vessels and 17,000 sailors. Napoleon attempted by it to invade England, but could not succeed, and at last gave up the idea.
BOXTEL, BATTLE OF.—Fought September 17th, 1794, between the British and allied army, commanded by the Duke of York, and the army of the French Republic. The latter attacked the allies and obtained the victory after an obstinate engagement, taking 2000 prisoners and 8 pieces of cannon, and the Duke retreated across the Meuse.
BOYNE, BATTLE OF THE.—Fought July 1st, 1689, between the Prince of Orange, afterwards William III of England, and James II of England. James was defeated. “Early next morning, the 1st of July, 1689, the English prepared to pass the river in three divisions. The right forced the passage at the ford of Slane; the centre led by the old warrior Duke Schomberg, passed opposite the Irish camp; it was vigorously opposed, but it finally forced the Irish to fall back to the village of Donóre, where James stood viewing the battle. William, meantime, had passed at the head of the third division, composed of cavalry, and driven off the enemy’s horse. The French General Lausun immediately urged James to set out with all speed for Dublin, lest he should be surrounded. He forthwith quitted the field; the Irish army poured through the pass of Duleék and formed at the other side, and then retreated in good order. Its loss had been 1500 men, that of the victors was about 500, among whom were Duke Schomberg, and Walker, the brave Governor of Derry.”
BRECHIN.—Scotland.—Edward III besieged it in 1333. A battle was fought here between the forces of the Earls of Huntly and Crawford. The latter defeated in 1452.
BREDA.—Taken by Prince Maurice in 1590. By the Spaniards in 1625. By the Dutch in 1637. By the French 1793, and again by the Dutch in the same year.
BREST.—Besieged by Julius Cæsar B.C. 54. Possessed by the English, A.D. 1378. Given up 1391. Lord Berkely and a British force repulsed here, with terrible loss, in 1694. Here was the French fleet rendezvous, which was afterwards defeated by Lord Howe, 1st June, 1794.