Back to the video list: History of the British Isles

 

The year 1745 saw the last attempt of the house of Stuart to reclaim the British throne. The rebellion began with the landing of Bonnie Prince Charlie in Scotland and ended with his legendary flight to France.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: 23 Jul 1745 – 16 Apr 1746
  • Location: Scotland & England
  • Start: Bonnie Prince Charlie lands on Eriskay
  • End: Battle of Culloden

 

Parties & Persons Involved

  • Geroge II of Great Britain (1683 – 1760)
  • Prince William, Duke of Cumberland (1721 – 1765)
  • Charles Edward Stuart, „Bonnie Prince Charlie“ (1720 – 1788)

 

Background

  • The House of Stuart loses the throne of England, Scotland & Ireland in the Glorious Revolution (1688-1689)
  • 1707: England & Scotland are united & form the Kingdom of Great Britain
  • 1715/16: The 1st Jacobite rising fails
  • The Stuarts remain the claim on the British & Irish throne in their French exile
  • Great Britain & France are enemies in the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748)
  • 1743 – 1744: A French invasion of England, aiming to reinstate the Stuarts, fails because of a storm

 

History

Bonnie Prince Charlie in Scotland

  • 22 Jun 1745: Bonnie Prince Charlie sets sail to Scotland after gaining financial & logistic support in Paris
  • 23 Jul 1745: Bonnie Prince Charlie arrives on Eriskay
  • 26 Jul – 10 Aug 1745: Charles convinces the first reluctant clan chiefs to follow him
  • 19 Aug 1745: Charles meets the clan chiefs & stets the standard to the Stuarts
  • Declaration of King James (Charles is declared prince regent) & Manifesto of Charles (right of the Stuarts to the throne)
  • 16 Aug 1745: The Scots ambush a British company at Highbridge & take them prisoner
  • 17 Sep 1745: Charles arrives in Edinburgh
  • 18 Sep 1745: James VIII is declared king with Charles as his prince regent
  • 21 Sep 1745: Jacobite victory in the Battle of Prestonpans
  • 28 Oct 1745: The Duke of Cumberland & large forces returns to England

 

Invasion of England

  • 08. Nov 1745: Charles invades England
  • 13 – 15 Nov 1745: Charles takes Carlisle
  • 23 & 26 Nov 1745: Charles takes Manchester & Preston
  • 05 Dec 1745: Charles takes Derby
  • 05 Dec 1745: Decision to withdraw to Scotland against the will of Charles

 

British Victory

  • 21 – 30 Dec 1745: British forces take Carlisle
  • 23 Dec 1745: Jacobite victory in the Battle of Inverurie
  • 17 Jan 1746: Jacobite victory in the Battle of Falkirk
  • 20 Mar – 03 Apr 1746: British troops successfully defend Fort William
  • 15 Apr 1746: British victory in the Battle of Littleferry
  • 16. Apr 1746: Decisive British victory in the Battle of Culloden
  • Apr – Sep 1746: Legendary flight of Bonnie Prince Charlie through Scotland to France

 

Consequences & Impact

  • After the victory the British government ensures that there are no more uprisings in Scotland
  • Heritable Jurisdictions Act 1746:
    • The clan chiefs lose the right to hold court & all of Scotland is placed under English law
    • The clan chiefs lose the right to call Scots to arms
  • The Act of Proscription 1746:
    • Prohibition of weapons of war
    • Prohibition of Kilt & Tartan
  • England, Scotland & Wales (& Ireland) are firmly united
    • 1801: Foundation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (Acts of Union 1800)