Prince Charlie's Targe facts for kids
Prince Charlie's Targe is a special kind of shield from the 1700s. It's famous because it belonged to Charles Edward Stuart, also known as "Bonnie Prince Charlie" or the "Young Pretender." This shield is a great example of the beautiful and strong shields used back then.
The most famous of these shields is now kept safe at the National Museum of Scotland. It's really fancy, with silver decorations. In the middle, you can see the head of Medusa, a mythical creature. Around the edges, there are different symbols like coats of arms and crests.
What is a Targe?
A targe was a small, round shield used mainly in Scotland. It was made to protect a soldier during battles. Targes were often made from two layers of wood, covered with tough leather. Sometimes, they had metal studs or plates for extra strength and decoration.
Prince Charlie's Special Shield
This particular targe was given to Prince Charles around 1740. It was a gift from James Drummond, 3rd Duke of Perth. It's believed that this targe was one of thirteen special shields made for the Prince. He supposedly gave these shields as gifts to his most loyal supporters during the 1745 Jacobite rising.
The shield itself is not very big, measuring about 20 inches (50 cm) across. It's made from leather that has been carefully shaped and stretched over a wooden frame.
Where is the Targe Now?
After the Battle of Culloden, a big battle where Prince Charles's army was defeated, this targe was found by the government forces. It was then given to the Duke of Cumberland, who was the leader of the government army.
In more recent times, in 2016, the targe was shown at the Perth Museum, so more people could see this important piece of history.
There's also another targe, believed to be one of the original thirteen, at Warwick Castle in England. It's thought to be the only one of these special shields found in England.
