Podcast Summary: Bonnie Prince Charlie & the Jacobite Rebellion
Podcast Information:
- Title: Not Just the Tudors
- Host: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb
- Episode: Bonnie Prince Charlie & the Jacobite Rebellion
- Release Date: July 24, 2025
- Description: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb delves into the Jacobite Rebellion, exploring its roots, key events, and lasting impact on British history. Joined by historian Don Wildman, the episode uncovers the complexities of the Jacobite cause and its enduring legacy.
1. Introduction to the Glorious Revolution (00:25 - 04:39)
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb introduces the episode by outlining the significance of the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw William of Orange and Mary II ascend to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland. This act of stability, however, ignited nearly a century of division, rebellion, and bloodshed across the three kingdoms.
Notable Quote:
“In 1688, fashioned as an act of stability, the throne of England, Scotland and Ireland was acceded by William of Orange and Mary II.”
— Professor Susannah Lipscomb [00:25]
2. Causes of the Glorious Revolution (04:42 - 07:15)
The discussion shifts to the underlying causes of the Glorious Revolution. Don Wildman explains that the revolution was driven by both political and religious tensions. King James VII of Scotland (also James II of England) sought to exert autocratic control and promote Catholic toleration, which alienated the Protestant majority and led to the invitation of William of Orange to take the throne.
Notable Quote:
“Do you exercise power in a consultative manner or do you exercise it in an autocratic manner?”
— Don Wildman [06:01]
3. The Jacobite Rebellion in Ireland (07:15 - 09:04)
Professor Lipscomb highlights Ireland as the primary theater of the initial Jacobite uprising (1689-1691). The Jacobite forces, supporting James VII, faced off against Williamite forces loyal to William of Orange. Key events included the Siege of Derry and battles at the Boyne and Aughrim, culminating in the Treaty of Limerick, which allowed Irish Catholic soldiers to leave for continental Europe, known as the "Flight of the Wild Geese."
Notable Quote:
“The Irish theater in 1689-91 was the biggest theater, 1689-91 ever, in the Jacobite rising.”
— Don Wildman [09:04]
4. The Massacre of Glencoe (19:54 - 23:04)
One of the most infamous events discussed is the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692. The government sought to secure loyalty from the Highland clans by offering pardons to those who swore allegiance. However, due to delays and suspicions of disloyalty, government forces brutally massacred members of the MacDonald clan, undermining trust and fueling further Jacobite sentiment.
Notable Quote:
“They were given hospitality. And then the early morning of 13th February, they turned on the population and murdered them.”
— Don Wildman [19:54]
5. Scottish Jacobitism and the Uprising of 1715 (24:16 - 35:45)
The conversation moves to Scotland, where Jacobitism took on distinctive characteristics. Predominantly supported by Episcopalians and some Presbyterians, the Scottish Jacobites were also motivated by anti-Union sentiments following the 1707 union with England. The Earl of Mar's failed uprising in 1715, known as "the Fifteen," is examined in detail. Mar's lack of military strategy and leadership led to the collapse of the rebellion, despite initial successes like the Battle of Sheriffmuir.
Notable Quote:
“He was not a very effective commander at all, as it turned out.”
— Don Wildman [30:27]
6. Bonnie Prince Charlie and the 1745 Rising (35:45 - 44:17)
The episode explores the Jacobite resurgence led by Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. His 1745 campaign saw initial victories, including the capture of Edinburgh and a march towards London. However, poor strategic decisions, such as the ill-fated Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746, led to the decisive defeat of Jacobite forces. The aftermath was marked by severe reprisals, including atrocities and cultural suppression under the Act of Proscription.
Notable Quote:
“He thinks he can force the Hanoverians to leave and he thinks he can take London.”
— Don Wildman [35:45]
7. Aftermath and Legacy of the Jacobite Rebellions (44:17 - 53:22)
Post-Culloden, Jacobite hopes dwindled as Charles Edward Stuart faced exile and dwindling support. The government enacted oppressive measures to dismantle the clan system and suppress Highland culture. Despite this, the Jacobite legacy endured through Romanticism and cultural memory, influencing Scottish identity and folklore. The episode concludes by reflecting on the enduring spirit of the Scottish Highlands and the complex legacy of the Jacobite cause.
Notable Quote:
“It was total atrocities. It was war crimes. It was not just in killing people on the field, but starving them to death, removing the livelihoods.”
— Don Wildman [44:17]
8. Conclusion: The Enduring Jacobite Legacy (53:22 - 55:24)
Professor Lipscomb and Don Wildman wrap up the discussion by contemplating how the Jacobite rebellions have been romanticized and remembered in Scottish culture. Toasts to the Jacobite cause and references in modern Scottish identity highlight the deep-seated impact these historical events have had on collective memory and cultural practices.
Notable Quote:
“It was a movement that certainly did not welcome the naked market forces. It was a sort of, you can't just interests of class and nobles. It had to be the interests of the community.”
— Don Wildman [52:08]
Final Thoughts:
This episode of Not Just the Tudors offers a comprehensive exploration of the Jacobite Rebellion, shedding light on its political, religious, and cultural dimensions. Through engaging dialogue and expert insights, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of how these events shaped British history and continue to influence Scottish identity today.
Acknowledgments:
- Researcher: Max Wintool
- Producer: Rob Weinberg
- Editor: Amy Haddo
Contact: Listeners are encouraged to share their ideas and feedback at notjusthetorshistoryhit.com.