The Battle of Reading in 1688 was the only substantial military action on mainland Britain during the Glorious Revolution. It was also known as the Battle of Broad Street, after the main street in Reading where much of the fighting took place, The Reading Skirmish and The Reading Fight. It was celebrated in Reading, Berkshire, for hundreds of years afterwards. Jump to: navigation, search The Term Glorious Revolution refers to the generally popular overthrow of James II of England in 1688 by a conspiracy between some parliamentarians and the Dutch stadtholder, William III of Orange-Nassau. ... Jump to: navigation, search St Marys Church and market Reading is a town and unitary authority in Berkshire in England, at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, halfway between London and Oxford. ... For other places named Berkshire, see: Berkshire (disambiguation) Berkshire (IPA: or  ; sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a county in the south of England, to the west of London and also bordering on Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Greater London, Surrey, Wiltshire and Hampshire. ...

In November 1688 William and Mary landed at the head of a Dutch army in attempt to wrest control of the country. After retreating from Salisbury James II's main force was stationed on Hounslow Heath while an advance guard of 600 were placed at Reading to stop the march of the Dutch towards London. These 600 troops were composed of Irish Catholics, who wild rumour asserted were planning to massacre the townsfolk. // Events A high-powered conspiracy of notables, the Immortal Seven, invite William and Mary to depose James II of England. ... The phrase William and Mary usually refers to the joint sovereignty over the Kingdoms of England and Scotland of King William III and his wife Queen Mary II. Their joint reign began in February, 1689, when they were called to the throne by Parliament, replacing James II, who was deemed... Salisbury Cathedral from the Cathedral Yard High Street Market Great West Front of Salisbury Cathedral Salisbury (pronounced Solsbree or Sauls-bree) is a small cathedral city in Wiltshire, England. ... Jump to: navigation, search James II of England and VII of Scotland ( 14 October 1633–16 September 1701 ) became King of England, King of Scots, and King of Ireland from 6 February 1685. ... London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ...

On Sunday 9 December James II sent part of his army to Reading to stop the march of the protestant army. The people of Reading had already sent a messenger to William who was at Hungerford, Berkshire to ask for help, and a relief force of about 250 Dutch troops was sent to the town. Warned in advance of the Royalist positions in the town they attacked from an unexpected direction, and got into the centre of Reading. Forcing the Irish troops back, the Dutch attack was supported by Reading men shooting from their windows. The Dutch soon forced the Irish troops to retreat in confusion leaving a number of their side slain, twenty to fifty depending on the account. There were few deaths on the Dutch side, one being a Catholic officer. Jump to: navigation, search December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search James II of England and VII of Scotland ( 14 October 1633–16 September 1701 ) became King of England, King of Scots, and King of Ireland from 6 February 1685. ... For other uses, see: Hungerford (disambiguation) Hungerford is a market town by the River Kennet in the English county of Berkshire. ... For other places named Berkshire, see: Berkshire (disambiguation) Berkshire (IPA: or  ; sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a county in the south of England, to the west of London and also bordering on Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Greater London, Surrey, Wiltshire and Hampshire. ...

James was already convinced that only Irish troops could be relied on to defend him, but this defeat by an inferior force and the willingness of the people of Reading to support a Dutch invasion further signalled the insecurity of his position. Thus on Tuesday December 11 James II fled London in abortive attempt to escape. Jump to: navigation, search December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search James II of England and VII of Scotland ( 14 October 1633–16 September 1701 ) became King of England, King of Scots, and King of Ireland from 6 February 1685. ...

External link

• Battle of Broad Street at www.berkshirehistory.com