(b. 27 Sept. 1862 near Greytown, Natal; d. 27 Aug. 1919 at Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa, aged 56). A Boer farmer, Botha was elected to the Parliament of Transvaal (or South African Republic) in 1897. During the (Second) BOER WAR he became commander‐in‐chief of Transvaal forces (1900), but in May 1902 advised peace making.
When Transvaal (now a British CROWN COLONY) was granted self‐government (1907), Botha became prime minister. He supported the proposed federal SOUTH AFRICA and served as its first prime minister (1910–19). During WORLD WAR I he suppressed the pro‐German Maritz Rebellion (1914–15) and occupied German South West Africa (1915, modern Namibia). Botha’s assertion of South African influence within the BRITISH EMPIRE alienated many Boers. See also SMUTS, JAN.
BOTHWELL, 4TH EARL OF(b. 1534 or 1535 in Scotland; d. 14 April 1578 at Drachsholm, Denmark, aged about 43). James Hepburn inherited his earldom in 1556. Although he adopted Protestantism before the REFORMATION (1560), he remained pro‐French and supported the Catholic MARY OF GUISE (regent 1554–9) and MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS. He was suspected of involvement in the murder of her (second) husband, Lord DARNLEY (10 Feb. 1567). He then divorced his wife and married Mary (15 May 1567) but his enemies forced Mary to abandon him (and to abdicate). Bothwell fled to Orkney, then to Denmark where he died in prison. See also CONFEDERATE LORDS.BOTHWELL, 5TH EARL OF(b. Dec. 1562; d. April 1612 at Naples, Kingdom of Naples, aged 49). Francis Stewart, a grandson of King JAMES V, was recognized as earl of Bothwell in Nov. 1577, succeeding his uncle the 4th earl before his death. He rose to prominence following the RUTHVEN RAID (22 Aug. 1582). His pro‐English beliefs faltered after the execution of MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS (Feb. 1587), and he rebelled alongside the northern earls in April 1589. Appointed assistant governor during JAMES VI's absence abroad (1589–90), he retained royal confidence until implicated in witchcraft by the North Berwick witch trials (Nov. 1590; imprisoned April–June 1591). Thereafter he attempted to recover favour through a series of armed confrontations with James (1591–4). In March 1595, having lost Protestant support, he went into exile in Continental Europe.BOTHWELL BRIG, BATTLE OFFought near Hamilton (S Scotland) on 22 June 1679. A Scottish government force, commanded by the duke of MONMOUTH, routed an army of COVENANTERS, killing 200–400 men. The battle was the culmination of the RISING OF 1679. Thereafter, support for Covenanting waned, leaving the CAMERONIANS as the main group of radical Covenanters.BOTSWANAsee BECHUANALANDBOUDICCA(d. 61 in C Britain). The last queen of the Iceni, a British tribe whose territory (modern Norfolk, E England) was absorbed into the province of ROMAN BRITAIN on the death of her husband King Prasutagus (60 or 61). Flogged by the Romans, who also raped her daughters, Boudicca (also known as Boadicea) led a rebellion (61) while the Roman governor, C. Suetonius Paulinus, was campaigning in W Britain (Wales). The rebels sacked Camulodunum (COLCHESTER), Londinium (LONDON) and Verulamium (ST ALBANS) before being defeated in battle by Paulinus, after which Boudicca took poison.BOULTER, HUGH(b. 4 Jan. 1672 at London, England; d. 27 Sept. 1742 at Westminster, Middlesex, England, aged 70). In 1724 Boulter, a bishop in England, was appointed (Church of Ireland) archbishop of ARMAGH and primate to strengthen British influence in Ireland during the WOOD'S HALFPENCE AFFAIR. (He sat on the Irish COUNCIL and in the Irish House of Lords.) From 1730 (recall of Governor CARTERET), he was the British government's main adviser on Irish policies. He supported ANTI‐CATHOLIC LEGISLATION, opposed Protestant demands for legislative independence (see PATRIOTS), and recommended English candidates for government and Church posts. Boulter also promoted education and charities, and contributed to relief during the 1740–1 famine. See also PROTESTANT ASCENDANCY.BOULTON, MATTHEW
(b. 14 Sept. 1728 at Birmingham, Warwickshire, England; d. 17 Aug. 1809 at Handsworth, Warwickshire, aged 80). Boulton expanded his father's silver‐stamping business (in BIRMINGHAM), building the ‘Soho’ factory (finished 1766, at Handsworth, near Birmingham) and becoming the leading manufacturer in the W Midlands of ‘toys’ (small metal items such as buckles).
In 1768 Boulton met the Scottish inventor James WATT, and in 1773 he accepted a share in Watt’s patent for an improved steam engine. From 1775 their business manufactured engines, producing over 500 by 1800. They pioneered the application of steam power to a variety of industrial processes. See also INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION; LUNAR SOCIETY OF BIRMINGHAM.
BOUNDARY COMMISSIONA committee of three representatives, established in 1924 (under the 1921 ANGLO‐IRISH TREATY), to review and adjust the boundary between the Irish Free State (IFS) and Northern Ireland. Many politicians in the IFS expected the Commission to reduce Northern Ireland's size, possibly making it economically unviable. On 7 Nov. 1925 a British newspaper revealed that only minor changes were proposed, causing the Commission to collapse. (The IFS commissioner, Eoin MAC NEILL, and chairman resigned.) The British, IFS and Northern Ireland governments revoked the Commission (3 Dec.). The boundary remained unchanged. See also IRISH FREE STATE, FOUNDING OF.BOW GROUPA discussion group within the British CONSERVATIVE PARTY which first met in Feb. 1951 at the Bow and Bromley Constitutional Club in the East End of London. Membership was originally restricted to university graduates aged under 36. Its influence on party thinking fluctuated, as did its own ideological complexion. Its chairmen included Geoffrey HOWE (1955–6).BOXER RISINGAn outbreak of violence against foreigners in China in 1900. With official connivance, the ‘Society of Harmonious Fists’ besieged European legations in Beijing from 19 June. Great Britain contributed to the international force which relieved them (14 Aug.), and sought to avoid this intervention precipitating partition of the Chinese Empire. See also CHINA, ENGLISH AND BRITISH RELATIONS WITH.BOYCOTT, CHARLES(b. 12 March 1832 at Burgh St Peter, Norfolk, England; d. 19 June 1897 in Suffolk, England, aged 65). A land agent in Ireland (Co. Mayo) from 1873, Boycott suffered ostracism in 1880, at the behest of the LAND LEAGUE, for evicting tenants; for example, on 24 Sept. tenants refused to harvest crops under his management. He imported Orangemen volunteers from Ulster (N Ireland), who were protected by 1000 troops (12–26 Nov.). The case generated publicity and Boycott's name was immediately used to denote non‐violent intimidation. Boycott left Ireland in 1886. See also LAND AGITATION AND REFORM, IRELAND; ORANGE ORDER, IRELAND.BOYLE, HENRY
(b. between 1681 and 1687 at Castlemartyr, Co. Cork, Ireland; d. 27 Dec. 1764 at Dublin, Ireland). A member of the Irish House of Commons from 1707, Boyle (a Whig) was elected speaker in Oct. 1733. To secure his support, the government appointed him to lucrative posts (e.g., chancellor of the Exchequer from Nov. 1733). He and his allies dominated the Commons until 1753 when they were challenged by allies of Archbishop George STONE. Boyle responded by allowing the defeat of a money Bill. The government retaliated by dismissing Boyle and others from their government posts (spring 1754).
In 1756 a new chief governor made a ‘peace' agreement: Boyle would retire as speaker, be created earl of Shannon, and receive a pension. Though now based in the House of Lords, he controlled the largest Commons faction until his death. See also UNDERTAKERS; MONEY BILL DISPUTE; PROTESTANT ASCENDANCY.
BOYLE, ROBERT(b. 25 Jan. 1627 at Lismore, Co. Waterford, Ireland; d. 30 Dec. 1691 at London, England, aged 64). Educated in England, Boyle travelled in Continental Europe 1639–44. On returning, he became involved with leading natural philosophers (scientists) and undertook research. Based in OXFORD 1654–68,