Jacobites

They fought against the Jacobites in Scotland, opposed US independence, and played a role in colonisation worldwide.

The supporters of the deposed king and his descendants were called 'Jacobites', the main stronghold of which was the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

After a lengthy wait, Charles persuaded his generals that English Jacobites would stage an uprising in support of his cause.

Although the marshy terrain minimized casualties, the morale of the Jacobites began to suffer.

Analysis of the finds confirms that the Jacobites used muskets in greater numbers than has traditionally been thought.

Another is that the bridge was seized by a party of Argyll Militia who were involved in a skirmish when blocking the crossing of retreating Jacobites.

At the end of the 1715 rebellion, a large number of Jacobites who had fled north from mainland Scotland sought refuge on Orkney and were helped on to safety in Sweden.

Charles hoped for a warm welcome from these clans to start an insurgency by Jacobites throughout Britain.

Despite this many Jacobites reached the government lines and, for the first time, a battle was decided by a direct clash between charging highlanders and formed redcoats equipped with muskets and socket bayonets.

During the six hours in which the ferocious sea-battle raged the Jacobites recovered cargo on the beach which had been landed by the French ships.

England stayed relatively calm throughout, although some English Jacobites fought on James's side in Ireland.

Following the battle, the Jacobites' Lowland units headed south, towards Corrybrough and made their way to Ruthven Barracks, while their Highland units headed north, towards Inverness and on through to Fort Augustus.

From this, it can be determined that of the roughly 1,000 Jacobites killed at Culloden, no more than one fifth carried a sword.

Harrington (1996), p. 88. While in Inverness, Cumberland emptied the gaols that were full of people imprisoned by Jacobite supporters, replacing them with Jacobites themselves.

Hawley had previously left this Highland unit behind the enclosure, with orders to avoid contact with the Jacobites, to limit any chance of a friendly fire incident.

He was not, as the Jacobites and discontented Whigs of his time have represented him, and as ill-informed people still represent him, a prodigal and corrupt minister.

However, although the Jacobites had captured both of the other forts in the chain of three Great Glen fortifications ( Fort Augustus and the original Fort George ) they failed to take Fort William.

In 1690, he fought Jacobites (who supported James) in Ireland, and whilst her husband was away, Mary administered the government of the realm with the advice of a nine-member Cabinet Council.

In the same year, Jacobites plotted to assassinate William III in an attempt to restore James to the English throne, but failed.

It is often considered the last realistic chance for the Jacobites.