Jacobites

Jacobites, name given to the English and Scottish adherents of the exiled house of Stuart. The Jacobites derived their name from Jacobus, the Latin name for King James II of England, who was dethroned in 1688 by William of Orange (see William III) during the Glorious Revolution. James had been an unpopular king because of his Roman Catholicism and autocratic rule. The Jacobites engaged for some years in minor, futile plots aimed at overthrowing the new Protestant dynasty. In 1715 a group of Jacobite nobles led an uprising in Scotland and in the English border country in favor of James's son, James Francis Edward Stuart, who was known as the Old Pretender. After an indecisive battle with the government forces, the Jacobites surrendered at Preston, England, and Stuart returned to exile in France. Seven noblemen were sentenced to death for their part in the revolt, but only James Radcliffe, earl of Derwentwater, and William Gordon, Viscount Kenmure, were executed.

The high point of the Jacobite movement was the second Jacobite rebellion, known as “The Forty-Five.” In July 1745, James II's grandson, Charles Edward Stuart, known as the Young Pretender, landed in Scotland and in September entered Edinburgh with 2000 men. Jacobite forces subsequently won three battles in Scotland and invaded England as far as Derby. Jacobite sentiment was strong only in the Scottish Highlands, however; their forces retreated and were completely defeated at the Battle of Culloden (see Culloden Moor). The revolt collapsed, and Charles fled to France. Again, a number of nobles were executed for taking part in the rebellion. Nearly 1000 others were condemned to death. With the crushing of “The Forty-Five,” the political significance of the Jacobite movement ended; it survived only in local sentiment and as a theme in romantic literature.