CHARLES EDWARD, THE YOUNG PRETENDER


Meaning of CHARLES EDWARD, THE YOUNG PRETENDER in English

orig. Charles Edward Louis Philip Casimir Stuart known as Bonnie Prince Charlie

born Dec. 31, 1720, Rome

died Jan. 31, 1788, Rome

Claimant to the British throne.

He was the son of the royal pretender James Edward and grandson of the exiled James II of England. Seeking to regain the throne, in 1745 the "Young Pretender" landed in Scotland, where he raised an army of 2,400 among the clans. After taking Edinburgh and routing the English at Prestonpans, he crossed the English border and reached Derby, but a lack of strong support from the Jacobite s and the French forced his retreat into Scotland. He was decisively defeated at the Battle of Culloden (1746) and, aided by Flora Macdonald (1722–90) and disguised as her maid, escaped to France. He wandered about Europe trying to revive his cause, but his debauched behaviour alienated his friends. He settled in Italy in 1766. He later became romanticized in ballads and legends.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.