Charles Edward Stuart (born December 31, 1720 – died January 30, 1788) was a very important person in British history. He was the son of James Francis Edward Stuart, who was also known as "the Old Pretender." Charles believed he should be the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. People often called him "the Young Pretender" or "the Young Chevalier." Today, he is best known as Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Charles was born in Rome, Italy, because his family was in exile. This meant they had been forced to leave their home country. In 1744, he went to France. He hoped to lead an invasion to put his father back on the throne. But a big storm damaged the French ships. So, Charles decided to go to Scotland instead.

He landed in Scotland in 1745. This started the Jacobite uprising of 1745. Charles's army won some early battles, like the Battle of Prestonpans and the Battle of Falkirk Muir. But in April 1746, his army was defeated at the Battle of Culloden. This loss ended the Stuart family's dream of ruling Britain again.

After the defeat, Charles spent the rest of his life in Europe. He even made one secret trip to London. He lived in France for a short time. Then he was forced to leave France in 1748. He eventually returned to Italy, living in Florence and Rome. Charles's health got worse as he got older. But his adventures and escape from Scotland made him a famous, romantic figure. His story is still a big part of history today.

Early Life of Charles Edward Stuart
- Childhood and Education: 1720–1734
- Travels in Europe: 1734–1745
The 1745 Uprising
Later Life in Europe
- Life in Europe: 1746–1766
- Claimant to the Throne: 1766–1788
Death and Burial
Cultural Depictions
Arms
Images for kids
See also

Early Life of Charles Edward Stuart

Childhood and Education: 1720–1734

Charles was born in Rome, Italy, on December 31, 1720. His father was given a home there by the Pope. Charles was named after his great-grandfather, Charles I of England. He was also named Edward, Louis, Casimir, and Sylvester.

His father, James Francis Edward Stuart, was the son of King James II. Charles's mother was Maria Clementina Sobieska, a Polish noblewoman. King James II ruled from 1685 to 1688. He was removed from power in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution. This happened because many people worried he would make England fully Catholic again.

After King James II was exiled, his supporters, called Jacobites, tried to bring the Stuart family back to the throne. Charles was raised as a Catholic. He learned English, French, and Italian. He enjoyed hunting, horseback riding, and dancing.

Travels in Europe: 1734–1745

In 1734, when Charles was 13, he joined his cousin, the Duke of Liria. They went to a battle in Naples. This was Charles's first experience with war. He saw the end of the siege and was even under fire. He returned to Rome later that year. In January 1735, Charles's mother, Clementina, died. He was very sad about her death.

As Charles grew up, he traveled to many Italian cities. He visited Genoa, Florence, and Venice. He expected to be welcomed as a prince. But most European countries did not want to upset Britain. So, they only called him the "Duke of Albany."

Charles became very distant from his brother, Henry, who was very religious. Charles believed that the Stuarts could return to power without help from other countries. In 1743, his father named him prince regent. This meant Charles could act in his father's name.

In 1744, Charles secretly traveled to France. He hoped to join a planned invasion of England. But a storm scattered the French fleet. The invasion failed. Charles stayed in France, often in debt. He continued to meet with supporters, hoping to find a way to restore his family to the throne.

The 1745 Uprising

Getting Ready and Going to Scotland: 1745

Charles met many supporters of the Stuart cause in France. He learned that many Jacobites in Scotland were ready to fight. He decided to lead an expedition to Scotland. His goal was to start a rebellion and make his father king.

To pay for the trip, Charles borrowed a lot of money. He used his mother's valuable jewels as security for the loans. He bought weapons and two ships, the Elisabeth and the Du Teillay.

On July 5, Charles and his group sailed for Scotland. On the way, their ships were attacked by a British warship. The Du Teillay, with Charles on board, escaped. But the Elisabeth had to return to France for repairs. This meant Charles lost most of his supplies and weapons.

Charles landed on Eriskay on July 23, 1745. He was with only seven companions. This group became known as the Seven Men of Moidart. Many Scottish clans supported the Jacobites. Charles hoped they would welcome him. But some clan leaders told him to go back to France. They felt he had not brought enough French military support.

Charles was not discouraged. He sailed to Loch nan Uamh and decided to raise an army in Scotland.

Early Successes and Victory at Prestonpans: 1745

Even though some clan chiefs were hesitant, Charles gained important support. On August 19, he raised his father's flag at Glenfinnan. He gathered enough men to march towards Edinburgh. His army reached Perth on September 4. More supporters joined him there.

On September 14, Charles and his forces took Falkirk. The British general, Sir John Cope, had marched north, leaving the south of Scotland unprotected. On September 16, Charles's army camped outside Edinburgh. The city quickly surrendered. Charles entered Edinburgh on September 17 with about 2,400 men.

On September 21, Charles and his army defeated General Cope's forces at the Battle of Prestonpans. This was the only government army in Scotland at the time. Charles was very close to the battle. He later said he felt bad that the victory involved killing his own people.

Invading England: 1745–1746

After the victory at Prestonpans, spirits were high. Charles returned to Edinburgh. The French also sent money and weapons, which boosted morale. Charles convinced his leaders to invade England. By November, Charles was leading an army of about 6,000 men south.

They reached Carlisle on November 10, and it surrendered. They continued south, reaching Manchester on November 29. His army went as far south as Swarkestone Bridge in Derbyshire on December 4.

In Derbyshire, Charles's leaders decided to return to Scotland. They had not received the English Jacobite or French support they expected. Also, there were rumors of large government armies gathering. Charles admitted he had not heard from the English Jacobites. This damaged his relationship with some of his Scottish supporters.

On December 6, the Jacobites began their march back to Scotland. They reached Glasgow on December 26. They rested there until January 3, 1746. Then they decided to besiege Stirling Castle. The town surrendered, but the castle was too strong to capture.

Government forces tried to help Stirling Castle. This led to a victory for Charles at the Battle of Falkirk Muir in January 1746. But they still could not take the castle. So, the Jacobite forces moved north to Inverness. They rested there, but the Duke of Cumberland's army soon followed them.

Culloden and Return to France: 1746

The British forces caught up with Charles's army at the Battle of Culloden on April 16. Charles did not listen to his general's advice. He chose to fight on flat, open ground. This left his army open to the enemy's powerful cannons. His officers asked him to command from behind the front lines for his safety. This meant he could not see the battle clearly.

Charles hoped the British would attack first. But his men stood exposed to heavy artillery fire. He quickly ordered an attack, but his messenger was killed. The Jacobite attack was disorganized. They charged into heavy gunfire and were shot down. The remaining Jacobite soldiers fled. Charles and his group managed to escape north.

After the defeat, Charles felt betrayed and decided to give up the Jacobite cause. He hid in the Scottish Highlands. Many Highlanders helped him escape. No one betrayed him, even for a large reward. Charles was helped by people like Flora MacDonald, who helped him sail to the Isle of Skye disguised as her maid.

Charles finally escaped Scotland on September 19, aboard a French ship. The Prince's Cairn marks the spot where he left Scotland for the last time.

Later Life in Europe

Life in Europe: 1746–1766

Charles landed back in France on October 10, 1746. King Louis XV welcomed him at first. But Charles could not get any more military help. He became a popular hero in Paris because of his adventures in Scotland.

His relationship with his brother, Henry, got worse. Henry became a cardinal, which Charles did not like. In December 1748, Charles was arrested in France. He was then sent out of the country. This was part of a peace treaty that ended a war. He moved to Avignon and then to Lunéville. He secretly visited Paris several times.

In 1750, Charles secretly visited London. He said he would become a Protestant if it meant he could become king. He even took part in a Protestant religious service.

Charles lived with his Scottish mistress, Clementina Walkinshaw. Many of his supporters thought she was a spy for the British government. On October 29, 1753, they had a daughter named Charlotte. Clementina and Charlotte later left Charles with his father's help.

In 1759, Charles met with the French foreign minister. France was planning a big invasion of England. They hoped Charles would lead some Jacobites. But Charles did not make a good impression. The French minister decided not to use Jacobite help. This French invasion later failed, which was Charles's last real chance to become king.

Claimant to the Throne: 1766–1788

In 1766, Charles's father died. The Pope had recognized his father as King James III. But the Pope did not recognize Charles as King Charles III. Charles moved into his father's old home in Rome. He wrote to the Kings of France and Spain, but they did not recognize him as king either.

Charles continued his social life in Rome. He enjoyed hunting, shooting, and going to balls. But sometimes he would shut himself away. He did not make new friends in his later life.

By 1771, Charles was over 50 and still not married. His supporters and the French worried that the Stuart family line would end. The French still wanted the Stuart line to continue as a way to challenge Britain. Charles tried to find a wife. In 1772, he married Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern by proxy. They met for the first time in April 1772.

They lived in Rome and then Florence. Charles used the name "Count of Albany." His wife was called the "Countess of Albany." Charles's health got worse. He suffered from asthma and swollen legs.

Charles and Louise's relationship became difficult. In November 1780, Louise left Charles. Charles became more isolated and unhappy. In 1783, Charles became very ill. He made a new will and officially recognized his daughter Charlotte. He gave her the title "Duchess of Albany." Charlotte lived with her father for the next five years.

Charles spent his last years living between Florence and Rome. He was very fragile and could only travel a little.

Death and Burial

Charles died in Rome from a stroke on January 30, 1788. He was 67 years old. The cardinals officially said he died on January 31. This was because they thought it was bad luck to say he died on the same day as his great-grandfather, Charles I of England, who was executed.

Charles left most of his belongings to his daughter, Charlotte. His body was prepared and placed in a coffin. He was first buried in Frascati Cathedral near Rome. His brother Henry was a bishop there.

When Henry died in 1807, Charles's remains (except his heart) were moved. They were reburied in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. He rests next to his brother and father. His mother is also buried nearby. Charles's heart is still in Frascati Cathedral, under a monument.

Cultural Depictions

Charles has been shown in many paintings since the 1700s. These paintings often show him as a romantic hero. His departure from Scotland in 1746 is shown in a famous engraving. John Pettie painted Charles entering a ballroom in Holyroodhouse in 1892. Charles and the Jacobites also appeared in drawings, prints, and even on drinking glasses.

Charles has also been shown in plays, films, and TV shows. David Niven played him in the 1948 film Bonnie Prince Charlie. Andrew Gower played him in the TV series Outlander.

Charles Stuart's story has also inspired many songs. Some famous folk songs include "Bonnie Charlie", "Wha'll be King but Charlie?", and "Charlie is my darling". His escape from Scotland is remembered in "The Skye Boat Song".

Arms

Arms used by Charles as Prince of Wales

Coat of arms of The Young Pretender (Royal Arms of England) in the Palazzo di San Clemente in Florence

When Charles claimed to be the Prince of Wales, he used a special coat of arms. It was based on the royal arms of the kingdom, but with a small silver stripe to show he was the heir.

Images for kids

A 1907 illustration of Prince Charles seen on the battlefield
'Lochaber No More – Prince Charlie leaving Scotland', an 1863 painting by the artist John Blake MacDonald
Clementina Walkinshaw 1760
Charlotte Stuart, Duchess of Albany was the only child of Charles to survive infancy (painted by Hugh Douglas Hamilton)
Charles Edward Stuart in his later years (painted by Hugh Douglas Hamilton, circa 1785)
Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern (1752–1824), circa 1772
Tomb of Charles, his father and brother in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome