 Born in Heidelberg, Germany, Schomberg had fought for a few different countries and had formerly been a Marshal of France, but, being a Huguenot, was compelled to leave France in 1685 because of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes.The Williamite army at the Boyne was about 36,000 strong, composed of troops from many countries.Around 20,000 troops had been in Ireland since 1689, commanded by Schomberg.