Battle of Culloden
Culloden, Scotland
What happened
Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, and his general Lord George Murray led the Jacobite army against the British government army of the Duke of Cumberland. In 1745 Charles Edward Stuart landed in Scotland to win back the British throne for his father, starting a rising of mostly Highland soldiers. On the night before the battle, a planned surprise attack on the government camp was given up after a confused march. The next day the tired Jacobites fought on boggy moorland near Inverness, and their famous Highland charge was broken by cannon and musket fire in less than an hour.
Why it matters
Result: Government victory. Leaders: Duke of Cumberland / Earl of Albemarle against Charles Edward Stuart / George Murray. Why it matters: The defeat ended the last Jacobite attempt to put the Stuarts back on the British throne. It is often called the last pitched battle fought on British soil.
What came next
Charles hid in the Highlands and islands for months and reached France in September 1746. Many captured Jacobites were transported to the British colonies.
Did you know?
Flora MacDonald helped Charles escape by disguising him as her Irish maid, 'Betty Burke', and taking him by boat to the Isle of Skye.
Timeline
- 1745 CECharles Edward Stuart lands in Scotland and starts the rising.
- 16 April 1746 CEThe government army defeats the Jacobites at Culloden.
- June 1746 CEDisguised as Betty Burke, Charles crosses to Skye with Flora MacDonald.
- September 1746 CECharles escapes to France.