JACOBITES (1)

The Jacobites were primarily Scottish supporters of the Stuart claimants to the throne of Scotland, descendants of King James VII, who reigned in England as James II, who lost his power as a result of disastrous domestic politics and the so-called the famous revolution of 1688. The Jacobite movement was particularly strong in the first half of the 18th century and led to three anti-English uprisings in Scotland: in 1715, 1718 and in 1745-1746, also known as the Second Great Rebellion. Especially the latter, organized by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, had a certain chance of success and absorbed the government in London to a large extent. Prince Charles Edward was massively supported by most Scottish clans, numerous Scottish highlanders, but also many Scots from the lowlands of the country. The pretender to the throne took Edinburgh and won the battle of Prestonpans (September 1745). Ultimately, however, the uprising of 1745-1746 was crushed by the English who defeated the insurgents at the Battle of Culloden (April 1746). After 1746, there were no more serious Jacobite revolts in Scotland.