Battle of Prestonpans
Near Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland
What happened
Jacobite forces under Charles Edward Stuart and Lord George Murray fought a government army under Sir John Cope. In 1745 Charles Edward Stuart landed in Scotland. Before dawn on 21 September, his Jacobite army was led through a marsh by a local farmer's son and appeared beside the government army. Cope's dragoons fled, and his infantry was overrun in under 15 minutes.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The quick victory made the Jacobite rising a serious threat. It encouraged the Jacobites to invade England.
What came next
The Jacobites marched into England and reached Derby in December 1745, then turned back. The rising ended with their defeat at Culloden in April 1746.
Did you know?
The mocking song 'Hey, Johnnie Cope', about the defeated general, is still well known in Scotland.
Timeline
- 1745Charles Edward Stuart lands in Scotland.
- 21 September 1745The Jacobites win at Prestonpans.
- December 1745The Jacobites reach Derby and turn back.
- April 1746The Jacobites are defeated at Culloden.
- 2010The Prestonpans Tapestry is unveiled.