1. Backdrop to the 45 – Culloden in 1746
It was July 16, 1745 and Prince Charles Edward Stuart and several of his loyal associates, historically now known as the “Seven Men of Moidart”, had armed themselves with a miniscule amount of weapons and ammo, began to sail for the Hebridean island of Eriskay, using two French frigates for their voyage, aptly named Du Teillay and Elizabeth. Elizabeth had the misfortune of being intercepted by the British Royal Navy’s HMS Lion, and during the naval skirmish it suffered damages and was forced to sail back to France for repairs. The problem that arose out of this situation was that it contained most of the weapons and supplies for the mission, together with some French volunteers. Despite the setback, Charles decided to continue with the mission and landed ashore Eriskay, and was greeted by Alexander Macdonald of Boisdale who suggested that he retreat back to mainland Europe. But Prince Charles insisted otherwise, replying with “I am come home, sir”. He proceeded with his voyage until he arrived at the shores of continuous Scotland, landing at Loch nan Uamh close to Arisaid on July 25, 1745. After three weeks of diplomatic negotiations, Prince Charles mustered enough support from the Highland chieftains, and proceeded to declare his father King James the 8th of Scotland and 3rd of England, and himself a prince and successor to the throne.
At Glenfinnan, the 1,200 men gathered there believed Prince Charles to be the rightful heir to the thrones of England and Scotland. The Stuarts had lost the ability to lead Britain since the Glorious Revolution of 1688 when the armies of the Protestant William of Orange and his wife Mary declared themselves rulers to the thrones of England and Scotland, forcing James the 2nd into exile where he was granted asylum in France, and given protection by Louis the 14th, William’s arch nemesis, and had wanted to use the Englishman as a way to get back at the Dutchman William for the embarrassing defeats endured by Louis during their battles together. The Jacobites, taken from the name James, were the forces of King James, and they were putting together an operation to return the ousted king back to his throne. John Graham of Claverhouse, also known as Viscount Dundee, was the one who was tasked with rebelling in 1689 but was instead killed right after the victory over the English forces at the Pass of Killiecrankie on July 27 of the same year.
Due to their leader being killed, the Jacobites were temporarily quelled. King James the 2nd continued his exile in France until he passed away in 1701. During his absence, his son was declared King James the 8th of Scotland and the 3rd of England. The new king was only 13 years old when this happened, and still was not of the age fit to rule the kingdom. In the meantime, the new contender to the throne had seized the chance to rule what was supposed to be his rightful kingdom. King William died in 1702 during a horse riding accident, and his throne was subsequently succeeded by the younger daughter of King James the 2nd, Anne, whom was sister to Mary. Despite his forceful taking of the throne, King William was not very well liked by the Catholics he represented, especially in the mountains of northern Scotland. It took six years of planning for James to prepare for a military operation against his rivals, for revenge, and to must enough support to execute it successfully. King James managed to gather 6,000 French troops traveling on board of 30 ships but were turned away by the Royal Navy in the English channel and forced to come back and land at Dunkirk.