THE JACOBITES

Teacher’s Workshop Notes

Timeline

1688 James II & VII overthrown; Stuarts go into exile 1701 James II & VII dies in France, his son becomes ‘James III & VIII’ in exile 1707 Act of Union between England and Scotland; union of the parliaments 1708 James attempts to invade Scotland but fails to land 1714 George I becomes King of Great Britain 1715 Major Jacobite uprising in Scotland and northern England; James lands in Scotland but the rising is defeated 1720 Charles Edward Stuart “Bonnie Prince Charlie” born in Rome 1734 Charlie attends siege of Gaeta, his only military experience, at just 14 years old 1744 Charles is invited to France to head a French invasion of Britain which is then called off; Charles decides not to return home and plans to raise an army in Scotland alone 1745 23 Jul Charles lands in Scotland with just a few supporters 19 Aug Charles raises the Standard at Glenfinnan; 1200 men join him 17 Sept Charles occupies Edinburgh 21 Sept Battle of Prestonpans, surprise Jacobite victory 1 Nov Jacobite Army invades England 5 Dec Council of War in Derby forces Charles to retreat against his will

1746 17 Jan Confused Jacobite victory at the Battle of Falkirk; retreat continues 16 Apr Jacobites defeat at the Battle of Culloden 20 Sept Charles finally escapes from Scotland 1766 James III & VIII dies in Rome; Charles calls himself ‘King Charles III’ in exile 1788 Charles dies in Rome, in the house in which he was born The Jacobites The name Jacobite comes from the Latin form of James, Jacobus, and is the term given to supporters of three generations of exiled Royal Stuarts: James II of England & VII of Scotland, James III & VIII, and Charles Edward Stuart. After James II & VII (the only one to actually sit on the throne) was overthrown by an anti-Catholic conspiracy in 1688, the family fled first to France and then to Italy. Many of their supporters fled too, and a network of Jacobite exiles developed across Europe. They made repeated attempts to recover the kingdoms, in 1689, 1708, 1715, 1719 and 1745, but all were unsuccessful.

The Jacobites and Scotland Scotland became the primary focus for Jacobite activity for a number of reasons. Firstly, the Royal Stuarts were the Scottish royal family long before they gained the throne of England, so there was a strong affinity with them. Secondly, there was discontent in Scotland over some government policies and, in particular, the Act of Union with England which had removed their parliament. Thirdly, the Highlands maintained a martial culture which made it easier to raise warbands there than elsewhere in Britain, whilst the geography of Scotland was difficult for Government troops to penetrate and observe.

The Supporters of King George II The sitting royal family in 1745 was the House of Hanover, who were also the rulers of the German state of Hanover and were distant relations to the Stuarts. This is why they are sometimes called Hanoverians, although that term more properly describes those who actually came from there. The soldiers who fought against the Jacobites were the official armed forces of Great Britain, and so are often called the British Army or Government forces. They were known informally as ‘redcoats’ because of their scarlet uniforms. George I had not been a popular monarch, not even able to speak English, but parliament supported his family in return for more control over Government. George II was more popular, and was the last British king to lead an army into battle personally.

Bonnie Prince Charlie Charles was born in 1720 in Rome, and was raised to believe that it was his responsibility to recover the British throne for the Stuarts. He trained extensively to ensure he was physically fit enough to lead his armies, but lacked real military experience. Nevertheless he showed courage, stamina, and strategic judgement during his uprising, and used his personal charisma to motivate his men. His use of tartan as a means of identifying with his soldiers and the dramatic tales of his time as a fugitive in the Highlands ensured that his fame lived on long after the failure of his enterprise. After his escape from Scotland, Charles returned to exile. He initially went to France, attempting several times to reignite support for the Jacobite cause, but eventually was driven out by British diplomatic pressure. He returned to Rome after his father’s death, and lived a long and unhappy life until his death in 1788. With no legitimate children to succeed him or his younger brother, Charles knew the family’s hopes died with him.

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