James Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Derwentwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Derwentwater
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| Born | 26 June 1689 |
| Died | 24 February 1716 (aged 26) |
James Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Derwentwater (born June 26, 1689 – died February 24, 1716) was an English nobleman. He took part in a rebellion known as the Jacobite rising of 1715. This rebellion tried to put a different king on the throne. Because of his role, he was found guilty of treason, which means going against the king or government, and was executed.
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Life of James Radclyffe
James Radclyffe was the son of Edward Radclyffe, the 2nd Earl of Derwentwater. His mother was Lady Mary Tudor, who was a daughter of King Charles II. James grew up in France at a place called St Germain. This was where the exiled royal family lived. He was a friend to the young prince, James Francis Edward Stuart, also known as the 'Old Pretender'. This prince was hoping to become King of England.
James stayed in France until his father passed away in 1705. After his father's death, James became the 3rd Earl of Derwentwater. He inherited his family's titles and lands in Northumberland, England.
After this, James traveled around Europe. He returned to London in 1709. In 1710, he visited his family's estates in Cumberland for the first time. He spent the next two years at Dilston Hall in Northumberland. This was a large house built by his grandfather. His family's lands had been taken away after the English Civil War. This was because his grandfather was a Catholic and did not follow the official church. James got these lands back. He even started building a new, grander house, but it was never finished.
Joining the Jacobite Rebellion
In 1715, James joined a secret plan to overthrow the government. The government suspected him, and an order was issued for his arrest. James went into hiding. He soon heard that another leader, Thomas Forster, had started a rebellion.
James joined Forster on October 6, 1715, near Edinburgh. He brought about 70 men, including gentlemen and servants from Dilston Hall. His brother, Charles Radclyffe, led these men. Their plan was to march through Lancashire to Staffordshire, hoping to find more supporters.
The rebel army occupied a town called Preston. James encouraged his men to dig trenches to defend their position. However, the Jacobite army was defeated at the Battle of Preston. James agreed with the decision to surrender to the king's forces.
Capture and Trial
After the defeat, James was taken as a prisoner to London. He was held in the Tower of London. Other noblemen who had joined the rebellion were also imprisoned there.
James was questioned by the Privy Council on January 10, 1716. He and the other lords were formally accused of treason on January 19. James admitted he was guilty. He said he was young and inexperienced. He also mentioned that he had advised his followers to ask for the king's mercy. Despite this, he was found guilty and sentenced to death.
Efforts for Pardon
Many people tried to save James from execution. Petitions, which are formal requests, were sent to both parts of Parliament. On February 22, Parliament asked King George I of Great Britain to show mercy to the condemned lords. Some lords were pardoned, but James was not.
James's wife, the Countess of Derwentwater, also tried to get a pardon. She went with her sister and other important ladies to see the King. She asked for mercy in French. However, the King refused. It is said that a powerful politician, Robert Walpole, advised the King not to pardon James. Walpole wanted to make an example of him.
Execution and Legacy
James Radclyffe was executed on Tower Hill in London on February 24, 1716. He was only 26 years old. Before his death, he said he regretted pleading guilty. He also declared his strong belief in his Roman Catholic faith and his loyalty to James III, the 'Old Pretender'. Another lord, Lord Kenmure, was executed at the same time.
On the night James was executed, the Northern Lights were unusually bright. People started calling them "Lord Derwentwater's Lights." James's heart was taken to a convent in Paris. It was placed inside the chapel walls there.
James Radclyffe's titles and honors were taken away. His family's lands were also seized by the government. In 1748, Dilston Castle and the other Derwentwater estates were given to the Greenwich Hospital by an Act of Parliament.
Family Life
James Radclyffe married Anna Maria Webb on July 10, 1712. She was the oldest daughter of Sir John Webb.
They had one son, John Radclyffe (1713–1731). John was known as the 4th Earl of Derwentwater, though the title was officially taken away. He is believed to have died at age 19 after a surgery. Later, in the mid-1800s, a woman claimed to be John's great-granddaughter. She tried to claim the Derwentwater estates, but her claims were not believed. She said that John had not died in 1731 but had escaped to Germany.
James and Anna Maria also had a daughter, Lady Mary Radclyffe (1714–1760). She married Robert James Petre, 8th Baron Petre. They had three daughters and one son.
Lady Derwentwater and her children moved to Brussels in 1721. She passed away there in 1723 from smallpox.
Cultural Legacy
James Radclyffe's story is told in two old English songs, called traditional ballads:
- "Lord Derwentwater" was collected by Francis James Child.
- "Lord Allenwater" was collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
James Radclyffe is also an important character in historical novels. These include Dorothy Forster by Walter Besant and Devil Water by Anya Seton.
In October 2022, a special bedsheet was shown at the Museum of London. James's wife had embroidered it with human hair in his memory. The museum bought it in 1934. They believe the hair could have been hers, his, or a mix of both.
