When you start learning about your Scots heritage, you’ll see many references to the Jacobites. The Jacobites were a group of people from Scotland and Ireland who supported King James VII of Scotland and II of England. Why did they call themselves Jacobites? The term is derived from the name Jacobus, which is the Latin form of James. To help you understand the Jacobites and their cause a little better here is a wee bit o’ Scots and Jacobite history for you.
The beginning of the Jacobite Risings or Rebellion began in 1688 when James II was deposed by Parliament. After this event, his daughter Mary II and her husband, William of Orange who was Dutch-born, claimed the thrones. It was at this point that the Jacobites, the loyal followers of James, created a military force to be reckoned with.
William of Orange wasn’t readily accepted after James was deposed. In fact, as early as 1689 a modest group of men led by John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee (later called “Bonnie Dundee”) tried to oppose William and Mary’s coronations. When they saw that support for William was increasing, Dundee retreated for a time.
After William’s coronation, James’ attempt to regain the throne began in earnest. With the help of Dundee, forces from the Highlands and Ireland that were loyal to James had joined forces. Unfortunately, they were defeated and escaped to Ireland and James was exiled to France.
William offered the Highland clans a pardon for the part they played in the Jacobite Uprising. Forces were sent to ensure each clan (family group) pledged their loyalty to William II. The MacDonalds of Glencoe sent word to James asking for permission to take the oath of allegiance. Because the answer didn’t come in a timely manner, William authorized the murder of thirty-eight MacDonalds. The murder of these families, at the hands of Captain Robert Campbell is known as the Massacre of Glencoe.
James II died in 1701 but his son, James Francis Edward Stuart took up the fight to return the line of Stuart back to the thrones of England and Scotland. When his attempts weren’t successful his son, Charles Edward Stuart, also known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie”, continued the fight.
With the encouragement and support of Highlanders chieftains, Prince Charlie arrived in Glenfinnan to lead the Second Jacobite Rising. Chieftains supporting Charlie were from Clan MacDonald, Cameron, Chisholm, Grant, MacIntyre, Stewart, and Robertson among others. Their numbers reach nearly 3,000 men. They captured Perth and continued on toward the city of Edinburgh. Although they took the city, they did not take the castle. During 1745, the Jacobites took several cities and continued to fight until they reached Inverness and the Battle of Culloden, where they were defeated.
Charlie abandoned his army and left the country. In one of the more well-known stories coming from the Jacobite Uprisings, Charlie disguised himself as a woman and was ferried to France by Flora MacDonald. As Charlie fled, the Jacobite cause ended and King William II finally ruled England and Scotland uncontested.
As you can see, the events of this wee bit o’ Scots and Jacobite history had long-lasting and far-reaching repercussions. Since the Jacobite cause was near and dear to many Scots, quite a few songs were written about the Risings.
Don’t think you’ve ever heard the songs? Think again. Loch Lomond is one of them! A couple of others are Charlie Is My Darlin’ and the Skye Boat Song, which references Charlie and Flora McDonald leaving for France. I’ll be adding several Scots songs for your enjoyment and education; so, check back often and/or search for the term Jacobite in the search feature.
Related posts:
