While Diana Gabaldon did her research into the Jacobite period, there is a lot missing about the real Bonnie Prince Charlie.
On January 31, 1788 Bonnie Prince Charlie died. The eldest son of James Francis Edward Stuart, known to some in Europe as King James III of England and VIII of Scotland but also referred to as The Old Pretender, Prince Charles believed that the British throne was his father’s (and, therefore, his).
Bonnie Prince Charlie was a prominent figure in Outlander Season 2 and the book it was based on, “Dragonfly in Amber.” Author Diana Gabaldon certainly did her research and got the character of the prince on point. However, there was also a lot missing out. Most of this is from the aftermath of the battle, with Charles’ escape back to Europe, so it’s understandable why it’s not mentioned.
As it’s the anniversary of his death, it’s worth taking a look at the moments and facts about the bonnie prince that were overlooked.
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The raising of the Stuart standard
Outlander focused on Jamie Fraser learning that his name had been fraudulently added to a document that declared his stance with the Jacobites. He was officially committing treason. What the books and show didn’t spend a lot of time on was the raising of the Stuart standard at Glenfinnan. This was the official start to the Jacobite uprising of 1745.
This wasn’t the first rising. The book and show mention the previous ones, but this was the one that Charles Edward Stuart took charge in. At least, he attempted to! He only spent 14-15 months on British soil, and would return to Europe empty handed.
Converting to Protestantism
One of the main reasons Charles and his father were ineligible for the British throne was their faith. After Charles’ grandfather’s (James VII/II) actions, Parliament enacted a law that meant all British monarchs had to be Protestant. After all, the British monarch would be the Head of the Church of England, a Protestant denomination of the Christian religion.
The Stuart family was Catholic, although not all Jacobites were. It’s a point raised briefly in Outlander, with James being a practicing “dirty Papist” (as Willie later calls him), but it’s not brought up too much. Nor is the fact that Charles tried to distance himself and his family from the Catholic religion to gain the throne. He was angry when his father allowed his younger brother to join the Catholic church. In the end, Charles cut ties with his father and converted to Protestantism. Unfortunately it still didn’t get him the crown he craved.
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The Jacobites fought King George’s own son
King George II of Britain’s own son was at the Battle of Culloden. Charles and his army went up against William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. He was the sixth child and third son. The man was barely mentioned in the books and series, and definitely wasn’t shown. It could have been interesting with son against son, even just the idea of it.
In the end, Charles ran away before the battle began. Jamie knew that it would end in disaster and wanted Charles out. Yet in reality, Charles fled in the hope that he could hurry along the promised French support. He didn’t and the Jacobite rising ended with the failure at Culloden.
The Duke of Cumberland was a prominent figure in the aftermath of Culloden. He earned the nickname “The Butcher” because of his dastardly actions.
Charles the fugitive
After the uprising failed, Charles remained in Scotland for five months. The Scottish believed that he had abandoned the cause to save his neck, not realizing the reality of his actions. One important person in the Outlander series was involved in Charles’ time after Culloden: Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat. The two met while at Gorthleck House.
It was Lord Lovat who encourages Charles to retreat to the hills, where he could regroup. In there, the Jacobites would be out of the Redcoats’ reach. Lord Lovat’s actions here helped led to his trial against him and to his execution.
As for Charles, he eventually escaped to France. He lived the rest of his days in Rome, bitter and disappointed.
His accent was a mixture of accents
Being raised in Europe to a British father and a Polish mother would naturally have an effect on the accent. However, Outlander almost got it right. Despite him being raised in foreign lands, he was taught to speak with a British accent. He just wasn’t quite as well spoken as the series made him out to be.
Documents from the time report that Charles spoke with an English accent, although did a broad Scots accent well. At times his accent would have an Irish lilt to it.
He did speak “slyly.”At the time, this meant “softly” or “lowly.”
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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