The Bonnie Prince Charlie

PRINCE Charles is heir to the British Throne and when he succeeds, will be known as King Charles III.
The previous kings named Charles, who were of the House of Stuart, did not exactly cover themselves in glory. When Charles I was defeated in the English Civil War he was beheaded and the monarchy abolished. While Cromwell ruled, Charles II spent his life in exile but was invited back to the throne on Cromwell’s death. Charles was succeeded by his brother James who fought the Jacobite Wars, was ousted in favour of William of Orange and fled after the Battle of the Boyne. There was one other Charles of relevance but he was never king, the grandson of King James who was known as Bonnie Prince Charlie.
The Stuarts continued to lay claim to the British Throne, firstly James himself, his son also James and finally, his grandson Charles. Since the House of Stuart had originally been Kings of  Scotland before the union of the two countries, most of their support was based in Scotland, particularly in the highlands. A failed restoration attempt was made in 1715 and when French invasion plans collapsed in 1744, Bonnie Prince Charlie took matters into his own hands, gathered a small force and sailed to Scotland.
He had neither enough men nor equipment but was overcome with his own self belief. The clans of the Highlands rallied to his cause and had remarkable initial success. They were in possession of Edinburgh and easily defeated an English army that marched against them. Not satisfied with this, Charles insisted on invading England and marching on London.
Even though it had been over 50 years since his grandfather had occupied the throne, he believed that many Jacobite supporters in England would join with them. This proved false, as did the promised French help and when they reached Derby, his military commanders persuaded him to return to Scotland. Even on the way north, they defeated an English force at Falkirk. Charles was adamant that he was let down by his generals. He assumed command himself and decided to make a major stand in the highlands. Charles’ tactic was to be an open charge and he insisted that his men wait until the enemy got close enough whereas the enemy simply fired at the Jacobite from a distance. The terrain he choose was most unsuitable for a charge and the Battle of Culloden turned into a massacre.
Those who escaped the killing retreated into the mountains and hoped to reach their homes. Charles’ flight and his escapades after Culloden have become the stuff of Scottish legend and folklore. It is remembered in the popular Skye Boat Song and it is said that the Irish song Sé mo Laoch mo Ghile Mear is also about him.
Even though there was a reward of £30,000 offered for his capture, no one betrayed him.  Eventually with the help of Flora MacDonald, he escaped “over the sea to Skye” disguised as a maid. From there he returned to France.
The great 1745 Jacobite Rebellion started when Bonnie Prince Charlie landed on what is known as The Princes Beach on the island of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides on July 23, 1745  – 266 years ago this week.

Michael Torpey