A summer on Hounslow Heath: Combined army operations in late-seventeenth-century England

Abstract

This article re-examines the purpose of the army summer training camps introduced by James II that became an intrinsic part of London and army life between 1686 and 1688. Current historiography has associated these camps purely with James II’s attempt to subjugate both London and its predominantly Protestant population. This article will argue that although there is no doubt that those opposed to James II viewed the camp as intimidation, that was not James II’s primary focus as there were better locations for any large-scale camp if this was the intended purpose. Using contemporary newspapers, broadside ballads, and printed promotional material alongside more traditional archive sources, this article will show that the intention was primarily to increase the capabilities of the army. The camps were responsible for introducing new tactics and instrumental in the introduction of battalion guns into regiments of foot.