Jacobite rising of 1715

Quick Facts: Who was Jacobite rising of 1715?

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Jacobite rising of 1715

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Attempt by exiled Stuarts to reclaim the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

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Origins & Early Life

The Jacobite rising of 1715 was an attempt by the exiled James Francis Edward Stuart, son of the deposed James II of England, to regain the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland for the House of Stuart. The rebellion was officially initiated on 27 August 1715 at Braemar in Aberdeenshire by the Earl of Mar. On 13 November, his forces engaged a government army under the Duke of Argyll at Sheriffmuir. The result was indecisive, and was followed by a Jacobite defeat at Preston in England the next day. Although James himself landed in Scotland in December 1715, his presence failed to spark popular enthusiasm for the Jacobite cause. He returned to France in February 1716, ending the uprising.

Career & Major Achievements

The 1688 Glorious Revolution replaced the Catholic James II and VII with his Protestant daughter Mary II, and her Dutch husband William III, ruling as joint monarchs. Shortly before William's death in March 1702, the Act of Settlement 1701 definitively excluded Catholics from the throne, among them James's son, James Francis Edward Stuart. Since his Protestant half-sister Anne had no surviving children, the Act named her successor as the distantly related, but Protestant, Sophia of Hanover, who died two months before Anne in August 1714. This made Anne's heir presumptive Sophia's eldest son, George I of Great Britain (who had maternal descent from the House of Stuart), and gave the pro-Hanoverian Whigs control of government for the next 30 years. French support had been crucial for the Stuart exiles, but their acceptance of the Protestant succession in Britain was part of the terms that ended the 1701–1714 War of the Spanish Succession.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This ensured a smooth inheritance by George I in August 1714, and the Stuarts were later banished from France by the terms of the 1716 Anglo-French Treaty. The 1710–1714 Tory government had actively prosecuted their Whig opponents, who now retaliated, accusing the Tories of corruption: Robert Harley was imprisoned in the Tower of London while Lord Bolingbroke escaped to France and became James' new Secretary of State. On 14 March 1715, James appealed to Pope Clement XI for help with a Jacobite rising: "It is not so much a devoted son, oppressed by the injustices of his enemies, as a persecuted Church threatened with destruction, which appeals for the protection and help of its worthy pontiff". On 19 August, Bolingbroke wrote to James that "…things are hastening to that point, that either you, Sir, at the head of the Tories, must save the Church and Constitution of England or both must be irretrievably lost for ever". Believing the great general Marlborough would join him, on 23 August James wrote to the Duke of Berwick, his illegitimate brother and Marlborough's nephew, that; "I think it is now more than ever Now or Never".

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1688: 1688 Milestone — The 1688 Glorious Revolution replaced the Catholic James II and VII with his Protestant daughter Mary II, and her Dutch husband William III, ruling as joint monarchs.
2. 1701: 1701 Milestone — French support had been crucial for the Stuart exiles, but their acceptance of the Protestant succession in Britain was part of the terms that ended the 1701–1714 War of the Spanish Succession.
3. 1702: 1702 Milestone — Shortly before William's death in March 1702, the Act of Settlement 1701 definitively excluded Catholics from the throne, among them James's son, James Francis Edward Stuart.
4. 1710: 1710 Milestone — The 1710–1714 Tory government had actively prosecuted their Whig opponents, who now retaliated, accusing the Tories of corruption: Robert Harley was imprisoned in the Tower of London while Lord Bolingbroke escaped to France and became James' new Secretary of State.
5. 1714: 1714 Milestone — Since his Protestant half-sister Anne had no surviving children, the Act named her successor as the distantly related, but Protestant, Sophia of Hanover, who died two months before Anne in August 1714.
6. 1715: 1715 Milestone — The Jacobite rising of 1715 was an attempt by the exiled James Francis Edward Stuart, son of the deposed James II of England, to regain the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland for the House of Stuart.
7. 1716: 1716 Milestone — He returned to France in February 1716, ending the uprising.

Notable Quotes by Jacobite rising of 1715

“I think it is now more than ever Now or Never” (1715)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jacobite rising of 1715

True or False: “The Jacobite rising of 1715 was primarily supported by the Catholic population across all three kingdoms.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While Catholicism was a factor, the rebellion involved various factions and support structures beyond just the Catholic populace.

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