6 things Outlander didn’t include about Bonnie Prince Charlie

Charles continued his attempts to gain the crown

Despite the defeat at Culloden, Bonnie Prince Charlie didn’t give up his attempt to win the crown. It was his destiny, or so he believed. After the defeat, he eventually returned to Europe to gain more support. A lot of this was through the foreign courts. The Jacobites also continued to support their man.

There were even thoughts that another rising would happen shortly after. This was part of the reason for the various acts to get rid of the Highland way of life. The English government in particular wanted to avoid anything like this happening again. Arguably, some of the actions were understandable but the Duke of Cumberland took the attacks against the Jacobites way to far!

In 1748, the Jacobite cause came to an end. It’s something Outlander could have mentioned in passing. Two years after the failed battle, peace between Great Britain and France finally happened. Charles was expelled from French territory and King Louis’ court was not going to fund anything else.

Yet, Charles attempted another rising. In 1750 he landed in London secretly, attempting the Elibank plot. It’s during this plot that he likely converted his faith, but it wasn’t enough to help gain the crown.

The reality of the risings never happening again came in 1759, during the Seven Years’ War. This was the point that Charles changed into the bitter man he was known to be for the rest of his life. Something that could have also been mentioned in Outlander was the death of James Francis Edward Stuart in 1766. Poper Clement XIII never viewed Bonnie Prince Charlie as the rightful king of England, Scotland and Ireland, so the support around the world disappeared.

Charles did decide to style his illegitimate daughter, Charlotte Stuart, as Duchess of Albany. Had Charles been king and Charlotte been legitimate, she would have rightfully had that title. This happened in 1784, showing that part of him still wanted that crown.

Next: How Outlander got Bonnie Prince Charlie just right

Did you know everything about Charles Edward Stuart? Were you aware of the aftermath of Culloden for the Young Pretender? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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