British Civil War - Culloden 1746

 Jacobites. The ousted House Of Stuart tried a few times to retake the crown and led a few abortive uprisings in Britain, but the most famous battle & the last battle to be fought on British soil was Culloden, 16th April, 1746. Bonnie Prince Charlie on one side, son of James Stuart, rightful King James VIII of Britain v the Duke Of Cumberland, son of King George II of Hanover - legal King on the other. 

Much has been written and said of the uprisings and battles, but something that is sometimes not mentioned is the fact that there were Scots wearing redcoats as well as those with a blue bonnet & kilt This is true. Maybe some people don't like the truth, but there were Grants, Campbells, in the 1st, 21st & 25th Foot Regiments, Argyll Militia, Scottish Artillery and more in the British Army. The Jacobite Army was mostly Scottish but, it also contained English, Irish, Welsh & French. Much has been written about Culloden - and continues to be written byt Scotland's Story by Tom Steele, available 2nd hand on Amazon, is a good read as is Culloden by  John Prebble.

The battle took place near Inverness on Drumossie Moor and lasted about an hour. Flat boggy terrain, cold, wet miserable weather and the Jacobite Army at about a third of its strength made a fairly easy victory for the Redcoats. The resulting victory meant no more battles between England & Scotland, it was the last battle to be fought on British soil. Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped, on the run 5 months, escaped to Europe and died in Rome a drunk. Many of his comrades were not that fortunate, many transported to America to be indentured, many executed or imprisoned. No accurate figures exist but it is estimated 50 redcoats died and approximately 1250 Jacobites.

Civil Wars #civil war #theanarchy

 Civil wars. A very strange description of something that really, in my opinion is anything but civil. They tend to be very bloody affairs. Civil wars often divide families;  brother fighting brother. cousin fighting cousin and so on. I am going to write about civil wars across the world, not just in Britain. 

When anyone mentions civil wars, people tend to think about the Union & Confederacy of the United States. That civil war must be one of the most discussed, researched and even photographed. There are many more for people to research and learn about. Civil wars in Russia for instance, France, Mozambique, Scotland, China, 

I am starting with the Anarchy. this took place in England & Normandy between 1138 & 1153. King Stephen & Queen Matilda appeared to be the main protagonists. 

|

(The problem with blogging about events from over 900 years ago is there are no photographs or quality images!). 

How Did It Begin?

Like many wars, it began by accident. William, son of Henry I died when the White Ship sank in 1120. The line of succession was fought over by Stephen & Matilda. Matilda had been named successor, but was not popular because she was a woman, and also married to Geoffrey of Anjou, who had been at war with Henry at the time of his death. Stephen crossed the Channel from Boulogne and was crowned King on December 22nd. Matilda refused to step aside and war was the result.

Famous Battles & Sieges

1141 Lincoln

How Did It End?

Henry was Matilda's son, and was camped at Wallingford  July 1953 with his army. Stephen's army was also there, but nobles on each side refused to fight. The Treaty of Winchester meant Stephen continued to rule and Henry was to be his successor, the first Plantaganet King of England.