The Battle of Culloden is a major point in history covered in the first two Outlander books (and seasons). However, there are a number of facts missed out in both that you need to know.
April 16 marks the anniversary of the Battle of Culloden. It’s an important event for Outlander fans, as it creates the backdrop of the first two books (and first two seasons). This was the turning point for the clans and Scottish way of life. While there are many facts known, there are some that the majority of Outlander fans don’t know about the battle and its aftermath.
As we commemorate the loss of the lives lost at Culloden on this day, it’s time to look into the facts. Here are seven things you didn’t know about the Battle of Culloden.
It wasn’t the first attempt at a Jacobite uprising
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The Battle of Culloden is one of the main Jacobite uprisings people learn about in history, but it definitely wasn’t the first. There were a number of attempts to put a Stuart king back on the throne before the ’45. In fact, the first rising started back in 1688, shortly after King James II of England/VII of Scotland supposedly abdicated his throne (he ran from the Protestant forces to live another day and Parliament decided he’d abdicated).
The first major battle in the uprising was the Battle of Dunkeld in 1689. A recent A9 expansion threatens to remove some of the battleground from the 1688-1689 Jacobite uprisings.
Multiple occasions saw the Jacobites flee to regroup and attempt again.
English, Irish, French and more were involved
Culloden wasn’t just the Scottish against the redcoats. There were a number of other nationalities involved. In fact, a number of Irish and English that supported the Stuart claim to the throne backed the Jacobites and sent men to fight against the British army.
The main reason the term “British” is now used for the offensive army is to make it clear that the Redcoats were fighting on the side of the Crown. Really, it was British against British. Outlander does a good job of portraying this when Bonnie Prince Charlie makes it clear that he wants the opposition to be given the same medical care as the Jacobite soldiers. They were all his father’s subjects.
While there were multiple other nations fighting on the Jacobite side, there were also Scottish clans fighting on the side of the Crown. Some of those Scottish clans were Highland clans. A Highlander didn’t necessarily make someone a Jacobite—nor did being a Catholic! Most of the common recruits, though, were from the North East of Scotland.
The Crown was led by the Duke of Cumberland
One thing Outlander misses out is the person leading the other side of the fight. The Crown’s forces at Culloden were led by the William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, King George II’s youngest son. He had gained the reputation as “The Butcher” due to his atrocities against Jacobite soldiers.
While he may have been named “The Butcher,” the Duke of Cumberland knew his military strategy. He helped to train his men to hold fire until the Jacobites were in effective range and ensured they were properly trained for the battle at Culloden.
The night attack before Culloden was real
In Outlander, there’s a moment that Jamie suggests that the Jacobites attempt to pull the same trick as they did at Prestonpans; attacking at night to throw everyone off. After all, the Crown’s men were celebrating the Duke of Cumberland’s birthday.
Rather than James Fraser being the man to make the suggestion, it was Murray (who was against it in the series). The night attack was doomed from the start. They took off too late and there was too much confusion in the ranks. It’s not surprising that they all turned back and decided on the battle at Culloden instead.
This failed night attack would also affect the Jacobite’s abilities on the day. The Crown’s men were ready and fresh. The Jacobites were tired after their failed attempt.
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Culloden was failed from the start
Not only weren’t the Jacobite men, women, and children not well-rested, but the whole plan was doomed from the beginning. Culloden Moor was an open stretch of boggy land. The idea for the Jacobites was to charge across the moor, where they would find themselves stuck and easy targets for the British.
On top of that, there was poor leadership and agreement between the clans. As the clans waited for the order to charge, Cumberland’s men were able to wipe out a large number of the Jacobite soldiers. By the time the order to charge did come, many fell over themselves or the bodies of their fallen comrades. The poor leadership had also lead to many clansmen leaving the Jacobite cause during the rising, feeling like it would be a bad idea.
The Highlanders remained loyal to Bonnie Prince Charlie
While there was no other attempt at a Jacobite rising after Culloden, the Highlanders didn’t completely turn their backs on the Stuart prince. In fact, Bonnie Prince Charlie needed their help to get back to Europe. This was when there was a bounty on his head. The Highlanders refused to turn Bonnie Prince Charlie in for the £30,000 reward, despite many of them needing it at the time.
Prince Charles had to escape to Europe with a disguise. He wore many disguises over the years, including dressing as a woman. He wouldn’t be the first Stuart monarch to dress in disguises to get away, with his grandfather and great-uncle using disguises at various points in their lives.
The Stuart claim didn’t end there
While the Jacobite uprising never took place on British soil again, the Stuart claim didn’t quite end with the ’45. Eventually, Bonnie Prince Charlie would be viewed as King Charles III of England and Scotland by the Catholics, even by some European courts.
Even after his death, some viewed his brother, Cardinal Henry Benedict Stuart, as the next king. This wasn’t an official view by the European courts for various reasons, though.
Charles lived his whole life attempting to find a way back to Britain to reclaim the throne for House Stuart. He even named his illegitimate daughter, Charlotte, the Duchess of Albany and she was recognized through the Jacobite cause.
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Did you know those Battle of Culloden facts? What have you learned that Outlander didn’t teach you? Share in the comments below.
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