Flight of the Wild Geese
Europe and beyond
Europe and beyond
General Sarsfield with his now, starving Irish forces still held within the walls of Limerick. Demanded overall command from the two French officers. Sarsfield considered the time was right to accept General van Ginkel's terms of honourable surrender. The conditions had been improved and would include all the besieged soldiers and the citizens of Limerick.
In pardoning the soldiers, Van Ginkel thought he could turn the surrender even more to his advantage. The Dutchman recognised their fighting ability and thought they might be of use to him fighting in Europe under the flag of King William III of England. (William of Orange).
Two Royal standards were raised, outside the gates of Limerick. One flying the English Standard of King William of Orange. The other the colours of French King Henry IV. All military forces within the city received a stark choice. Stay within the walls and face execution. March out to the English Standard and secure the right to remain in Ireland as part of William of Orange’s armed forces. March to the left and the colours of King Henry IV, of France and face banishment from Ireland.
Fourteen thousand soldiers walked out of the gates. Only 1,044 lined up behind the English banner. The remaining 12,956 including the 27 Lacy's proudly marched to the French flag. General Van Ginkel was furious; he had underestimated the Irish loathing of the English King. However, as a man of honour, he allowed the French officers to commandeer 17 boats to take the Irish soldiers into exile in France.
Youngest among the Irish soldiers was 13-year-old Peter de Lacy. Ragged, emaciated, barefooted, but head still held high.
In pardoning the soldiers, Van Ginkel thought he could turn the surrender even more to his advantage. The Dutchman recognised their fighting ability and thought they might be of use to him fighting in Europe under the flag of King William III of England. (William of Orange).
Two Royal standards were raised, outside the gates of Limerick. One flying the English Standard of King William of Orange. The other the colours of French King Henry IV. All military forces within the city received a stark choice. Stay within the walls and face execution. March out to the English Standard and secure the right to remain in Ireland as part of William of Orange’s armed forces. March to the left and the colours of King Henry IV, of France and face banishment from Ireland.
Fourteen thousand soldiers walked out of the gates. Only 1,044 lined up behind the English banner. The remaining 12,956 including the 27 Lacy's proudly marched to the French flag. General Van Ginkel was furious; he had underestimated the Irish loathing of the English King. However, as a man of honour, he allowed the French officers to commandeer 17 boats to take the Irish soldiers into exile in France.
Youngest among the Irish soldiers was 13-year-old Peter de Lacy. Ragged, emaciated, barefooted, but head still held high.
“Off you go, boy.”
Jeered the onlooking British soldiers
“join the rag bag army of James. What a joke".
They did not know that the boy who they jeered at was to become a
Field Marshall that changed the face of Europe.
Jeered the onlooking British soldiers
“join the rag bag army of James. What a joke".
They did not know that the boy who they jeered at was to become a
Field Marshall that changed the face of Europe.
Count Peter de Lacy. Field Marshall,
Supreme head of the Russian Army. Governor of Livonia.
1678-1751. Claimant of direct descent front William Gorm de Lacy.
Supreme head of the Russian Army. Governor of Livonia.
1678-1751. Claimant of direct descent front William Gorm de Lacy.
Marshal Franz Moritz Graf von Lacy
Son of Count Peter de Lacy Count of the Holy Roman Empire St Petersburg
Reformed the Austrian Army for which he received the Grand Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa, Austria's highest honour.
Oct 1725, – till Nov 1801, Vienna
Son of Count Peter de Lacy Count of the Holy Roman Empire St Petersburg
Reformed the Austrian Army for which he received the Grand Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa, Austria's highest honour.
Oct 1725, – till Nov 1801, Vienna
Field Marshall Luis Roberto de Lacy
Born; 1772, San Roque, Nr Cadiz
Hero of Spain
Died 1817, Palma, Majorca Posthumously created Duke of Ultonia.
Born; 1772, San Roque, Nr Cadiz
Hero of Spain
Died 1817, Palma, Majorca Posthumously created Duke of Ultonia.
Not all Irish de Lacy's descended from the 'Flight of the Wild Geese'.
General Sir George de Lacy Evans
Soldier, Member of Parliament.
County Limerick, 1787- 1870
Soldier, Member of Parliament.
County Limerick, 1787- 1870
Trance Atlantic Geese
James Horace Lacy
Plantation Owner. Virginia, USA.
Ellwood Plantation, Chatham Manor Plantation
1823-1906
Plantation Owner. Virginia, USA.
Ellwood Plantation, Chatham Manor Plantation
1823-1906
Captain Patrick DeLacy
Medal of Honor,
The Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia May 1864.
(November 25, 1835 – April 27, 1915)
Medal of Honor,
The Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia May 1864.
(November 25, 1835 – April 27, 1915)
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