Charles Stuart

Scottish Independence Guide: Charles Stuart (also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie)

Charles Edward Stuart, the eldest son of James Stuart, and the grandson of James II, was born in Rome in 1720. His father had made several attempts to become king of Britain. In 1743 war broke out between England and France. As France was a Catholic nation, it had always supported the Stuarts' claim to the English throne. King Louis XV realised that it would be in his interests if the Stuarts made another attempt to regain the throne.

Louis XV informed James Stuart in 1745 that if he invaded England he would supply him with arms and ammunition. James was now fifty-seven years old and was not keen on becoming involved in another military campaign. However, Charles Stuart was more enthusiastic, and on 5 July he left France with 700 men.

Once in Scotland, Charles Stuart, who had been nicknamed Bonnie Prince Charlie, began building up his army. He was especially successful at persuading Catholics living in the Scottish Highlands to join him, though it should be noted that not all his supporters were Catholics. In September, Charles was ready to take action. His first move was to capture Holyrood, the ancient palace of Scottish kings. On capturing Edinburgh the new Charles III issued a decree abolishing the act of union.

The English army arrived soon afterwards but Charles' army had an easy victory at the battle of Prestonpans. Charles 5,000 man army now marched into England and by December he reached Derby.

Charles had hoped that English Catholics would join his army. This did not happen. In fact, in many of the towns that he marched through, the crowds showed great hostility to Charles' army. Louis XV had promised Charles that 12,000 French soldiers would invade England in the autumn of 1745. However, Louis XV did not keep his promise. Although Charles still wanted to march on London, his military advisers argued that without the support of the French they were certain to be beaten. Reluctantly, Charles agreed to return to Scotland.

Another English army, this time led by the Duke of Cumberland, followed Charles back into Scotland. Completely outnumbered, Charles's army were chased into the Scottish Highlands. In April 1746, Charles Stuart decided to turn and fight the English army. The two forces met at Culloden Moor on 16 April. Cumberland's army defeated the Jacobites (though it is now recognised that the Scots fought considerably harder than has been historically recognised see here), Charles escaped and a reward of £30,000 was offered for his capture, but Charles still had many loyal supporters who were willing to hide him.

George II gave the Duke of Cumberland instructions that the Scots had to be punished for supporting Charles. Many of those who had joined Charles' army were executed and their land was given to those who had remained loyal to George II. Scotsmen were also banned from wearing kilts and playing bagpipes.

Charles Stuart escaped to France. Later, as a result of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, it was agreed that Charles Stuart should live in Avignon. When James Stuart died in 1766, Pope Clement XIII, keen to improve relations with Britain, refused to accept Charles Stuart as king. Charles Stuart married Princess Louise of Stolberg in 1772 but produced no heirs and when he died in 1788 the Stuart claim to the throne came (officially at least) to an end.