The Jacobite Rising: A Quest for the Stuart Crown

The Jacobite Risings were a series of rebellions between 1689 and 1746 aimed at restoring the deposed Stuart monarchy to the British throne.

Named after the Latin *Jacobus* for James, the movement sought to reinstate James II (and later his descendants) after his exile during the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

The most significant and well-known of these uprisings was the Jacobite Rising of 1745-46, led by Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie.

This rebellion, culminating in the catastrophic Battle of Culloden, was a desperate bid to overturn the Hanoverian dynasty and reshape Britain’s political and cultural landscape. Below is an exploration of the Jacobite Rising, focusing primarily on the 1745-46 campaign, its causes, key events, and lasting impact.

Historical Context: The Roots of Jacobitism

The Jacobite cause emerged from the deposition of James II of England (and VII of Scotland) in 1688, when the Protestant William of Orange and Mary II seized the throne in the Glorious Revolution. James, a Catholic, was seen as a threat to Protestant dominance in Britain, and his exile to France sparked loyalty among those who viewed the Stuarts as the rightful rulers.

Support for Jacobitism was strongest in Scotland, particularly among Highland clans, but also drew adherents in Ireland, northern England, and even among European Catholic powers like France and Spain.

The Jacobites sought to restore the Stuart line—first James II, then his son James Francis Edward Stuart (the Old Pretender), and later his grandson Charles Edward Stuart (the Young Pretender). Earlier risings in 1689, 1715, and 1719 had failed, but the 1745 rebellion came closest to success, capitalizing on political instability and discontent with the Hanoverian regime.

The 1745-46 Rising: Catalyst and Campaign

By 1745, Britain was embroiled in the War of the Austrian Succession, diverting government resources and troops to the Continent. Charles Edward Stuart, a charismatic 24-year-old raised in exile, saw an opportunity. Backed by limited French support, he landed on the Scottish island of Eriskay in July 1745 with just a handful of companions, aiming to rally support and reclaim the throne for his father, James.

Early Successes

Charles’s arrival ignited enthusiasm among Highland clans like the Camerons, MacDonalds, and Frasers, who were motivated by clan loyalty, Catholic sympathies, or resentment of the 1707 Acts of Union that merged Scotland and England.

Despite initial skepticism from clan chiefs, who demanded more French aid, Charles raised his standard at Glenfinnan on August 19, 1745, proclaiming his father king. His army grew to around 2,500 men, mostly Highlanders wielding broadswords and targes.

The Jacobites swiftly captured Edinburgh in September, defeating a small government force at Prestonpans in a stunning victory that showcased the Highland charge’s effectiveness. Charles established a court at Holyrood Palace, rallying more supporters, including some Lowland Scots and English Jacobites.

By November, the army, now about 5,500 strong, marched into England, capturing Carlisle and advancing as far as Derby—only 120 miles from London—by December 4, 1745. Panic gripped the capital, with King George II reportedly preparing to flee.

The Turning Point

Despite these gains, the Jacobite campaign faltered. Expected English Jacobite and French reinforcements failed to materialize, and the army faced desertions and supply shortages. At Derby, Charles’s advisors, notably Lord George Murray, urged retreat to Scotland to consolidate forces, over Charles’s objections. The decision proved fatal, as it allowed the government, under the Duke of Cumberland, to regroup and pursue.

The Jacobites retreated north, winning a skirmish at Falkirk in January 1746, but their momentum waned. By spring, the army was exhausted, underfed, and outnumbered, with only about 5,000 men left. Charles, overconfident and militarily inexperienced, chose to face Cumberland’s 8,000-strong army on Drummossie Moor near Inverness, leading to the Battle of Culloden.

The Battle of Culloden (April 16, 1746)

Culloden was a disaster for the Jacobites. The moor’s flat, boggy terrain neutralized the Highland charge, and Cumberland’s disciplined troops, equipped with artillery and bayonets, decimated the Jacobite ranks in under an hour. Up to 2,000 Jacobites were killed or wounded, compared to 300 government casualties. Charles fled the field, marking the end of the rising.

Aftermath: Suppression and Cultural Devastation

The defeat at Culloden unleashed a brutal crackdown. Cumberland’s forces pursued fugitives with relentless violence, executing prisoners and ravaging Highland communities. The “Harrying of the Highlands” saw villages burned, livestock confiscated, and civilians killed or displaced.

The government passed the Act of Proscription (1746), banning tartan, bagpipes, and weapons, and the Heritable Jurisdictions Act (1747), which dismantled the clan system’s legal autonomy. These measures aimed to crush Highland culture and integrate the region into the British state.

Charles Stuart evaded capture for months, aided by loyalists like Flora MacDonald, before escaping to France in September 1746. He spent the rest of his life in exile, descending into alcoholism and obscurity, with no further serious attempts to reclaim the throne. The Jacobite cause faded, though it lingered in romanticized folklore.

Causes of Failure

Several factors doomed the 1745-46 Rising:

• Lack of Support: The Jacobites failed to secure widespread English or Lowland Scottish backing, limiting their numbers and resources.
• Strategic Missteps: Charles’s decision to retreat from Derby and fight at Culloden ignored the advice of seasoned commanders like Murray.
• Limited Foreign Aid: France provided minimal troops and supplies, far less than promised, leaving the Jacobites outmatched.
• Government Strength: The Hanoverian army’s discipline, artillery, and leadership proved superior, especially at Culloden.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

The Jacobite Rising of 1745-46, though a failure, left an indelible mark. It ended the Stuart claim and the Highland clan system, accelerating Scotland’s integration into Britain.

The cultural suppression that followed fuelled a sense of loss, romanticized in works like Sir Walter Scott’s novels and songs like “The Skye Boat Song.” Culloden remains a poignant symbol of Scottish resilience and tragedy, with the battlefield now a preserved site drawing thousands annually.

The rising also had broader implications, solidifying Hanoverian rule and enabling Britain’s focus on imperial expansion. In Scotland, it sparked emigration to North America and elsewhere, as displaced Highlanders sought new lives. The Jacobite story endures in popular culture, from Outlander to folk traditions, embodying themes of rebellion, loyalty, and sacrifice.