Reviewed by Paula R Fleetwood
“ Jacobites : a new history of the ’ 45 Rebellion ” by Jacqueline Riding
Given the number of books which already exist about Prince Charles Edward and the Forty-Five I did wonder just how “ new ” this history would be . However , having read it , I can say that it does live up to its title . It tells the familiar story while setting it in the context of the European situation of the time . The personalities concerned both in Rome and Paris are vividly drawn . We see “ James VIII & III ” dubious about his son ’ s chances of success ( once he actually heard that he had set off for Scotland ) and we see Louis XV and his advisers only being willing to assist the Stuarts if this would help to distract the British government from French activities in India and elsewhere .
Once Charles arrives in Scotland the different motivations of his supporters are shown clearly with some clan chiefs like Lochiel supporting him against their better judgement out of loyalty to their rightful king , knowing that they were likely to be ruined if not dead at the end of the affair , while others like the Irishman , O ’ Sullivan , share Charles ’ s optimism which , outwardly at least , never wavered even after the retreat from Derby .
The book is unusual in that it shows the progress of the campaign from both sides in an even-handed way . This is done by quoting liberally from letters sent between men on both sides . We hear Cumberland reporting to his father , George II , on his officers writing to his brother in London , as well as Charles writing to James in Rome . We see the dawning realisation in London that was is happening is not just some “ little local difficulty ” in the north ! We see a letter from General Wade to George II asking to be relieved of his post as Commander in Chief in Scotland on the grounds of age and infirmity . It is pointed out that it was Wade who planned the road-building programme in the highlands after the Fifteen to allow troops to move rapidly in the event of another rebellion . In fact , these same roads made it easier for the Jacobite army to advance south in the Forty-five and Wade had lived to know this . His request to be relieved of his command was granted and he was replaced by the Duke of Cumberland , a young man , only 25 like Charles Edward , but already an experienced soldier in battle against the French . The author of the book points out how popular Cumberland was with his men while also mentioning the more familiar account of the charm shown by Charles Edward which caused men to follow him even when is prospects seemed hopeless and , indeed , to refuse to betray him after Culloden despite the huge price placed on his head by the British government .
The book makes clear that when Charles Edward was finally rescued by a French ship he was genuinely intending to return , certain that this time French troops and money would be forthcoming . Instead the French and British made peace with the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle and Charles was forced to leave France for permanent exile in Rome .
Reviewed by Paula R Fleetwood
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