Jacobitism

Jacobitism was the political movement dedicated to the return of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England and Scotland (and after 1707, the United Kingdom). It was so named after James VI of Scotland and I of England whose name in Latin is Iacobus Rex. It must not be confused with Jacobinism.

Jacobitism was a response to the deposition of James VII and II in 1688 and his replacement with William of Orange and Mary II. The Stuarts lived on the European continent after that, occasionally attempting to regain the throne with the aid of France. Within the British Isles, the primary seats of Jacobitism were Ireland and especially Highland Scotland. There was also some support in Northumberland and other parts of the North of England.

Military Campaigns

The second campaign in favour of James VII and II took place in Ireland in 1690 but ended when the Jacobite forces were defeated at the Battle of the Boyne. An abortive campaign sponsored by the French in 1708 was thwarted by the Royal Navy which prevented the French navy from landing the Old Pretender, James VIII and III.

The third campaign, which was in support of the Old Pretender, took place in 1715 but was short-lived. This is now usually referred to as the first Jacobite Rebellion. A fourth campaign, sponsored by the Spanish in 1719 was defeated, firstly by storms which destroyed most of the invasion force before it even set sail and finally at the Battle of Glen Shiel.

The fifth and most nearly successful campaign (usually referred to as the "Second Jacobite Rebellion"), led by the Young Pretender, Charles Edward Stuart, son of the Old Pretender, in his father's name, took place in 1745. In the 1745 rebellion Jacobite troops advanced into England as far as Derby before turning back. In 1746 they were finally defeated near Inverness at the Battle of Culloden by Hanoverian forces made up of English and Scottish troops. The seemingly suicidal Highland sword charge against cannon and muskets had succeeded earlier in the campaign but failed now owing to the completely unsuitable nature of the battlefield. This battle crushed the rebellion and effectively ended Jacobitism as a serious political force in Britain.

Decline of Jacobitism

Afterwards, Jacobitism was mainly a subject of romantic poetry and literature, notably the work of Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. The last Stuart pretender to the throne was the self-styled Henry IX, younger brother of Charles Edward. After the collapse of the Stuart cause he became a Roman Catholic priest, and eventually a cardinal. After coming into financial difficulty during the French Revolution, he was granted a stipend by George III. In gratitude he bequeathed the remaining crown jewels of James VII and II to the Prince of Wales, the future George IV, although he never actually surrendered his claims to the throne.

Following the death of Henry IX, the Jacobite claims passed to the House of Savoy. Francis, Duke of Bavaria, is the current Jacobite heir. Neither he nor any of his predecessors since Henry IX's death in 1807 have pursued their claim, although his father was known to wear the Stuart tartan on occasion.

Jacobite Claimants to the Thrones of England, Scotland, (France), and Ireland

• James VII and II (February 6, 1685- September 16, 1701).
• James VIII and III (September 16, 1701-January 1, 1766).
• Charles III (January 1, 1766- January 31, 1788).
• Henry IX (January 31, 1788- July 13, 1807).

Since Henry's death, none of the Jacobite heirs have actually claimed the throne. They are as follows (given with their Jacobite titles):

• Charles IV (ex-King Charles Emmanuel IV of Savoy and Sardinia ( July 13, 1807-October 6, 1819), who was descended from the youngest daughter of Charles I.
• Victor (King Victor Emmanuel I of Savoy and Sardinia) (October 6, 1819-January 10, 1824), his brother.
• Mary II (Maria Beatrice Vittoria Giuseppina, Princess of Sardinia and later by marriage Duchess of Modena) (January 10, 1824 - September 15, 1840), his daughter.
• Francis I (Duke Francis V of Modena) (September 15, 1840- November 20, 1875), her son.
• Mary III (Maria Theresia Henriette Dorothee, Princess of Modena and later Queen consort of Bavaria) (November 20, 1875- February 3, 1919), his niece.
• Rupert (or Robert IV and I, Rupprecht Maria Luitpold Ferdinand, Crown Prince of Bavaria) (February 3, 1919- August 2, 1955), her son.
• Albert (Albrecht Luitpold Ferdinand Michael, Duke of Bavaria) August 2, 1955- July 8, 1996), his son.
• Francis II (Franz Bonaventura Adalbert Maria, Duke of Bavaria) (July 8, 1996-present), his son.

External Link

The Jacobites

The Jacobite Heritage

See Also

• British military history
• UK topics

Referenced By