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The Jacobites: The Power of Tradition
      The term Jacobite comes from the Latin word "Jacobus" meaning James, and was first used to describe the supporters of the British monarch (and devout Catholic) King James II. However, a Jacobite is much more than a Stuart loyalist or a Scottish nationalist, a Jacobite is someone who supports legitimate authority, strong monarchy rather than politician controled kings and if not outright Catholic, than certainly in favor of equal treatment for Catholics and Protestants.
       King James II, younger brother of King Charles II, caim to the throne of a Protestant kingdom with a great deal of obstacles arrayed against him. Yet, he was openly Catholic and refused to compromise his faith for political reasons. Already in his 50's most Protestant politicians were willing to await his death until James surprised everyone and had a son. He also tried to end the laws making the Anglican Church the only church and to bring about equal rights for Roman Catholics. This, as well as his typical Stuart attitude that he owed his position to God rather than politicians, made him very unpopular.
      To remove King James the wealthy elites in control of Parliament made a deal with a foreign power to take control of Britain. Prince William of Orange, leader of the Republic of the United Netherlands, was the Protestant champion of Europe. He landed a Dutch army on the English coast on November 5, 1688. At the height of this invasion the leaders of the country betrayed James and he was forced to flee to France as the Prince of Orange was crowned King William III. However, on March 19, 1689 King James II landed in Ireland, rallied the support of Jacobites and the Irish Catholics and declared the independence of Ireland. William III sent a huge British/Dutch army that defeated the outnumbered and illequiped army of James II. Once again the King went into exile in France although the struggle for Irish independence continued under the great leadership of General Patrick Sarsfield. King James II spent the rest of his life in exile living a life of prayer and penance. He also took care to groom his young son, James Francis Edward Stuart, to hopefully one day take back the British throne.
       This Jacobite Uprising took place in 1715 after the German royal house of Hanover was imported to reign over the three kingdoms. There were many early victories for the forces of "the Old Pretender" but the Jacobites failed to take Edinburgh and lacked a really capable military command. With few supplies and small numbers the situation steadily grew worse. The Hanoverians had bought a great deal of support as well as the old Protestant liberal politicians who were happy to have a monarch (though a foreigner) who cared little about government. James had not known about the breakout of "the '15" and did not reach the field until January 1, 1716. James and the Scottish Jacobites wanted to fight, but the generals did not. He proposed new plans for battle but was told the situation was already hopeless. Completely frustrated he finally left Scotland to go into exile in Rome, but he promised his people that he would come again.
       For thirty years Scotland remembered the promise and waited for their king to return. At last, in 1745, a new campaign was planned to be led by James III's son Charles Edward Stuart, "Bonnie Prince Charlie".
Yet, things seemed to go wrong from the very start. The King of France had promised a fleet and 10,000 troops but failed to deliver anything. "Royal Charlie" landed in Scotland with only seven men but the loyal highlanders, who valued such things as family, tradition and loyalty to the Scottish kings, were quick to rally to the Prince's side. The Jacobite army captured Edinburgh, defeated the English at Prestonpans and marched into England. At every turn they sent the Hanoverian army into retreat, but just as the army was nearing London the clan leaders and the military command overruled Prince Charles and retreated back toward Scotland. Although they turned and administered another defeat on the Hanoverians the high command refused to listen to Charles and continued to retreat. They were pursued by the son of King George II, the Duke of Cumberland, a very brutal figure. At last, in the far reaches of northern Scotland the Jacobite army was caught and defeated at Culloden Moor. Royal Charlie did manage to escape thanks to the help of Flora MacDonald who later became a leading loyalist in the American colonies.
      Prince Charles' life went downhill after the failure of the uprising. However, he had the aid of his brother Prince Henry Benedict, Cardinal York. Prince Henry was a quiet and scholarly man who had decided to become a priest shortly after the '45 uprising. He rose within the Catholic Church to become a Cardinal, Archbishop of Corinth and Bishop of Tusculum. Charles was unhappy that Henry took holy orders for practical reasons concerning the House of Stuart, but later came to depend on his brother when
things became difficult. Cardinal York helped support his brother and tried to persuade him to clean up his life. When "Royal Charlie" died Cardinal York became King Henry IX, at least to the still loyal Jacobites. However, Henry was devoted to the Church and never tried to claim his position as King of England, Scotland and Ireland; which, would have been very difficult in any event as he was a Prince of the Catholic Church and would never have any offspring.
       In 1799 French revolutionaries attacked and destroyed the Cardinal's palace at Frascati. However, the British government helped Henry move to Venice where he began recieving a small pension from King George III. Later the Cardinal was able to return to Frascati and in his will left the remaining British crown jewels and regalia from the House of Stuart to King George IV. When he died the British monarch paid tribute to the Stuarts with a marble monument placed over their tomb in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. With Cardinal York the Houses of Stuart and Hanover had at last made peace and reconciled. Without the Stuarts the British Monarchy was set aside and the wealthy politicians took absolute control over the country.
Muisc is "Wha'll Be King but Charlie?"