Charles Edward Stuart
Charles Edward Louis John Sylvester Maria Casimir Stuart[1] (31 December 1720[b] – 30 January 1788) was the elder son of James Francis Edward Stuart making him the grandson of James VII and II, and the Stuart claimant to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1766 as Charles III.[c] During his lifetime, he was also known as "the Young Pretender" and "the Young Chevalier"; in popular memory, he is known as Bonnie Prince Charlie.
For other people named Charles Edward Stuart, see Charles Edward Stuart (disambiguation).Charles Edward Stuart
1 January 1766 – 30 January 1788
31 December 1720
Palazzo Muti, Rome, Papal States
30 January 1788 (aged 67)
Palazzo Muti, Rome, Papal States
Charlotte Stuart, Duchess of Albany (illegitimate)
Born in Rome to the exiled Stuart court, he spent much of his early and later life in Italy. In 1744, he travelled to France to take part in a planned invasion to restore the Stuart monarchy under his father. When the French fleet was partly wrecked by storms, Charles resolved to proceed to Scotland following discussion with leading Jacobites. This resulted in Charles landing by ship on the west coast of Scotland, leading to the Jacobite rising of 1745. The Jacobite forces under Charles initially achieved several victories in the field, including the Battle of Prestonpans in September 1745 and the Battle of Falkirk Muir in January 1746. However, by April 1746, Charles was defeated at Culloden, which effectively ended the Stuart cause. Although there were subsequent attempts such as a planned French invasion in 1759, Charles was unable to restore the Stuart monarchy.[4]
With the Jacobite cause lost, Charles spent the remainder of his life on the continent, except for one secret visit to London.[5] On his return, Charles lived briefly in France before he was exiled in 1748 under the terms of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. Charles eventually returned to Italy, where he spent much of his later life living in Florence and Rome. He had a number of mistresses before marrying Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern in 1772. In his later life, Charles's health declined greatly and he was said to be an alcoholic. However, his escapades during the 1745 and 1746 uprising, as well as his escape from Scotland, led to his portrayal as a romantic figure of heroic failure.[6][7] His life and the once possible prospects of a restored Stuart monarchy have left an enduring historical legend that continues to have a legacy today.[8][7]
Early life[edit]
Childhood and education: 1720–1734[edit]
Charles was born in the Palazzo Muti in Rome, Italy, on 31 December 1720, where his father had been given a residence by Pope Clement XI.[1][9] Historians differ as to who carried out his baptism ceremony.[1][10][11] Kybett reports that it was presided over by Pope Clement,[1] whereas Douglas and Pininski state it was carried out by the Bishop of Montefiascone.[10][11] Regardless, he was given the names Charles for his great-grandfather, Edward after Edward the Confessor, Louis for the King of France, Casimir after the kings of Poland, and Sylvester as he was born on Saint Sylvester's Day.[11]
Charles was the son of the Old Pretender, James Francis Edward Stuart (himself son of the exiled Stuart King James II and VII), and Maria Clementina Sobieska, a Polish noblewoman (the granddaughter of John III Sobieski).[12] Charles Edward's grandfather, James II of England and Ireland and VII of Scotland, ruled the kingdoms from 1685 to 1688.[9] He was deposed when the English Parliament invited the Dutch Protestant William III and his wife, Princess Mary, King James's eldest daughter, to replace him in the Revolution of 1688.[13] Many Protestants, including a number of prominent parliamentarians, had been worried that King James aimed to return England fully to the Catholic faith.[13] Since the exile of James and the Act of Settlement, the "Jacobite Cause" had striven to return the Stuarts to the thrones of England and Scotland, which had been united in 1603 under James VI and I, with the parliaments joined by the Acts of Union in 1707 as the Kingdom of Great Britain.[14][15]
Charles was said to have suffered from weak legs at an early age, possibly as a result of rickets.[16][17] However, Charles was instructed in a regime of exercise and dancing to help improve his constitution, which strengthened his legs by later years.[16] Charles spent much of his early childhood in Rome and Bologna in the company of a small retinue and a close but often argumentative family.[18] His brother Henry Benedict Stuart was born 5 years later on 6 March 1725.[19] His mother and father were regularly at disagreement with each other,[20] leading to one notable incident in which Clementina left the palace shortly after Henry's birth in 1725 and moved to a convent, not returning until 1727.[21][22][23] As the legitimate heirs to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland—according to the Jacobite succession, James and his household lived with a sense of pride, and staunchly believed in the divine right of kings.[12] Charles spent much of his early years in the company of older men, several of which acted as his tutors.[21] Charles Edward's governor was the Protestant James Murray, Jacobite Earl of Dunbar.[18] While the Pope had raised initial concerns over Charles's religious education under a Protestant governor, James agreed that Charles would be raised as a Catholic.[24] Among his tutors were the Chevalier Ramsay,[25] Sir Thomas Sheridan[25] and Father Vinceguerra, a Catholic priest.[26] He quickly became conversant in English, French and Italian,[27] although it was said that he never fully mastered any language and was partially illiterate.[25] During his childhood, he was reported to enjoy hunting, horsemanship, a form of golf, music and dancing.[28]
Later life[edit]
Life in Europe: 1746–1766[edit]
Charles landed back in France on 10 October [O.S. 29 September] 1746.[131] On his return, he was initially received warmly by King Louis XV, but as far as obtaining additional military or political assistance was concerned, his efforts proved fruitless.[132] However, he became at once the popular hero and idol of many Parisians on account of his exploits in Scotland.[132] In March 1747, he travelled briefly to Madrid via Lyon for an audience with Ferdinand VI of Spain, but the King rejected the idea of Spain providing help to restore the Stuarts.[133] His relationship with his brother Henry deteriorated during this time, when Henry accepted a cardinal's hat in July 1747.[131] He also deliberately broke off communication with his father in Rome (who had approved of his brother's action).[131]
Cultural depictions[edit]
Charles has been depicted in painting since the 18th century, much of it belonging to Romanticism and later Victorian representations of the Jacobites.[191][192] Charles's departure from Scotland in 1746 is depicted in an engraving of a painting by Francis William Topham, 
Prince Charles Edward, bidding adieu to his friends.[l] In 1892, John Pettie painted Charles entering the Ballroom at Holyroodhouse. Charles and the Jacobites would also be depicted in numerous drawings, prints and on objects, his likeness and coat of arms even depicted on objects such as engraved drinking glasses.[194][195]
Charles has been depicted on stage as well as in film and television. He was portrayed by David Niven in the 1948 semi-biographical film Bonnie Prince Charlie.[196] Charles was also portrayed by Andrew Gower in the historical dramatic series Outlander, based upon Diana Gabaldon's book series.[197] His life has formed a component of numerous historical plays, including For Bonnie Prince Charlie (1897), the Young Pretender (1996) and The Glory (2000).[198][199][200]
The legacy of Charles Stuart and his role in Jacobitism has also influenced songs and music.[201] Examples include the folk songs "Óró sé do bheatha abhaile", "Bonnie Charlie", "Wha'll be King but Charlie?" and "Charlie is my darling".[202][203][204] Charles's subsequent flight from Scotland is commemorated in "The Skye Boat Song" by the English author Sir Harold Edwin Boulton and in the Irish song "Mo Ghile Mear" by Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill.[205] The popular song My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean could be in reference to him as a way to refer to him but also to any woman.[206] It was covered by Tony Sheridan and the Beatles in 1961.
Prince Charles Edward. by Francis William Topham, engraved for Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1839 with a poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon.
