Jacobite Rebellion

In 1745, the war of the Austrian Succession was raging in Europe. England had most of her troops busy in the Austrian Netherlands. The time seemed ripe for Charles-Edward Stuart (1720-1788) to boldly land in Scotland. He and his Jacobite supporters managed to beat an English army at Prestonpans on October 2nd, 1745 and entered Edinburgh where he had his father James recognized as King of Scotland. At the head of a small army, he then invaded England as far as Derby, but had to retreat when promised French support did not materialize (the intended landing of French troops had failed). Caught up by the British army under Cumberland (recalled from the Low Countries), he was soundly defeated at Culloden on 16th April, 1746. This was the best shot the Stuarts ever got to reclaim the throne, but the rash young prince did not listen to the sober advice of his Generals, thus forever burying the Stuart cause.