Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745. Volume III.

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

20948

Title

Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745. Volume III.

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Mrs. A. T. Thomson's third volume chronicles the final chapters of the Jacobite cause, focusing on the tragic executions of Lord Kilmarnock and Lord Balmerino. Blending historical rigor with intimate biographical detail, this work offers a poignant examination of loyalty, repentance, and the harsh realities of the post-Culloden era.

Summary up to 500 words

In the concluding volume of her memoirs, Mrs. A. T. Thomson shifts her focus from the broad movements of the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745 to the harrowing fates of specific key figures. The narrative centers on the trial and execution of William Boyd, Earl of Kilmarnock, and Lord Balmerino. Thomson provides a detailed account of their final days in the Tower of London, highlighting their composure and the intercession of friends, such as Lady Cromartie. While the Earl of Cromartie eventually received a reprieve, the other two faced the 'Bloody Assizes.' Through extensive correspondence and eyewitness accounts, the text explores the profound spiritual crisis faced by Lord Kilmarnock as he confronted his crimes and the subversion of the constitution. Thomson corrects previous errors regarding Lady Grange and the lineage of the Atholl family, offering a nuanced view of the Duke of Atholl's duplicity. The volume serves as both a historical record of the 'Bloody Assizes' and a meditation on the human cost of political rebellion, preserving the voices of the condemned and the faithful who sought to save them. Thomson details the calm manner in which Lord Balmerino faced his doom, even buying gooseberries on his way to the Tower, and contrasts this with the cruelty of the Duke of Cumberland. The text also documents the intense spiritual preparation of Lord Kilmarnock, who, under the guidance of Reverend James Foster, acknowledged his errors and the terror he had inflicted upon his country, expressing deep contrition for the depredations and murders committed during the rebellion. Meanwhile, the narrative highlights the heroic perseverance of Lady Cromartie, whose intercession, aided by the Prince of Wales, secured a reprieve for her husband, Lord Cromartie. Though he remained a prisoner for two years, witnessing the departure of his friends to the scaffold, he was eventually pardoned and died in London in 1766. Through these accounts, Thomson preserves the dignity of the condemned and the faith of those who loved them, providing a sober reflection on the consequences of treason and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of inevitable death.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Politics