Equestrian statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie in Derby, England.
Introduction
This afternoon, I am reporting on a person who is synonymous with Scottish history, namely Prince Charles Edward Stuart aka ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’.
Key Rehearsals
‘Bonnie’: This is a Scots-English word which roughly translates as something like pretty, attractive, fair, charismatic. The latter certainly applied to the Prince.
Jacobite: ‘Jacob’ is the Latin term for James. All male Scottish monarchs from 15th to 17th centuries were named James. These were part of the Stuart dynasty described below. The line culminated in James VII (Scotland), James II (Britain) who was exiled in 1688. Supporters of the last named king and his descendants attracted the ‘Jacobite’ nomenclature.
Stuart Dynasty: This was established by Robert II of Scotland during the late 14th century. Stuart rule spanned from 1371 to 1714. Initially the Stuarts were rulers of Scotland only. The dynasty subsequently inherited the Kingdoms of England and Ireland.
Background
From 1603 through to 1707 England and Scotland were nominally separate countries but ruled by the same king who was London based. Both countries had officially converted from Catholicism to Protestantism in the 16th century but pockets of Catholic adherents remained. James VII (Scotland), James II (Britain) acceded to the thrones in 1685 but his Catholic leanings raised concerns in establishment circles. James was exiled in 1688 and replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband, William of Orange.
Early Battles
The exiled James did not surrender his claim to the thrones. In 1689 his Jacobite supporters engaged in two battles against government forces, namely Killiecrankie and Dunkeld. Jacobites won the former whilst government prevailed at latter.
In 1690 the seminal Battle of the Boyne took place close to today’s border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Result was a victory for government forces. This outcome resonates today as manifested in sectarian tensions in Northern Ireland and West of Scotland.
The exiled James died in 1701. Thereafter, his son, James Francis Edward Stuart, (aka ‘Old Pretender’) headed the campaign for restoration of the Stuart dynasty. There occurred battles between Jacobites and government forces at Sheriffmuir (1715) and Glen Shiel (1719). Outcome of the former was inconclusive whilst latter resulted in a government victory.
Arrival of Bonnie Prince Charlie
Charles, son of the Old Pretender, was born in Rome in 1720 and died in the same city in 1788. Nominally backed by France and with a small band of supporters Charles landed on Scotland’s west coast on July 25th 1745. He raised his standard at Glenfinnan from where the nucleus of a Highland army was developed. At this stage the force was comprised of Macdonalds and Camerons.
Prince Charles’ Military Campaign
Edinburgh: Charles’ force first took the city of Edinburgh but the castle held out for the government.
Prestonpans: This conflict occurred on 21 September 1745, about ten miles directly east of Edinburgh. Result was a swift victory for Charles.
Derby: After Prestonpans Charles marched south into England and by December 4th reached Derby some 125 miles north of London. At this stage he may have had a force of around 5000 foot and 600 horse. However, the anticipated recruitment of Catholic English sympathisers did not not occur in material numbers. At this time there were two sizeable British armies in the region and winter was approaching. A Council of War was held at which a retreat north was agreed with Charles dissenting.
Falkirk: A battle with government forces took place on January 17th, 1746 some 25 miles west of Edinburgh.Outcome was a tactical victory for Charles but it had little impact on the overall campaign.
Inverness: Charles continued the retreat to Inverness whilst the opposing army under General Cumberland moved to a base in Aberdeen. Cumberland and Charles were cousins.
Culloden: The two opposing forces met on April 16th 1746. Location was an exposed and boggy moor now known as Culloden Moor, about six miles east of Inverness. This terrain was far from ideal for Highlanders who relied on a sprint charge across open ground to smash into the the enemy lines. Furthermore the government forces had superiority in terms of weaponry, technology and cavalry. Outcome was a conclusive and final defeat for Charles.
Charles the Fugitive
After the defeat at Culloden Charles was a hunted fugitive with a price on his head. Between the defeat and Sept 20th 1746 Charles undertook arduous journeys around the Highlands, Outer Hebrides and Isle of Skye. He finally departed for France on September 20th. During his escape Charles was helped by sympathisers including the legendary Flora MacDonald who disguised him as a maid.
End of Life
Charles died in Rome on January 31st 1788, forty two years after the defeat at Culloden. Towards the end he was in a poor state suffering from depression and excessive alcohol consumption.
More information
The publication Visitors’ Guide to Scotland includes sections on Scottish history and battle sites. A wide range of additional information is provided for the tourist. ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.