A brief history of the Orange Order. In 1690 a Dutch King fought an English King on Irish soil using Scottish mercenaries. The Dutch king was victorious and the Scottish mercenaries by way of payment were given the lands of Ulster plus the right to treat the Irish as second class citizens. The annual marches under the banner of William of Orange are nothing more than a reaffirmation of that right and a reminder to the natives of their second class position. I do not like making any political comment and I love the Scottish people and have had great times there but I resent the Mudcat forum being used in this manner.