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

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

20946

Title

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

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Mrs. A. T. Thomson presents the first collective biography of the Jacobites, offering an impartial scrutiny of motives and conduct. This volume explores the complex political landscape of the Stuarts' cause, blending noble self-sacrifice with base vacillation, and relies on original letters and family archives to illuminate the turbulent history of 1715 and 1745.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745, Volume I*, Mrs. A. T. Thomson presents the first collective biography of the Jacobite party, aiming to unify scattered anecdotes into a coherent narrative of the rebellions against the Hanoverian succession. The work traces the origins of the movement to the nobles who followed James II into exile, specifically the Duke of Gordon, Lord Balcarras, and Claverhouse of Dundee. These exiles, initially pensioned by France, maintained crucial communications with their countrymen despite the cessation of French support after the civil war. Thomson highlights the precarious position of these figures and the strategic errors regarding the education of the Chevalier St. George, which were exacerbated by James II's refusal to accept William III's plan for the Pretender's upbringing in England. A significant portion of the text examines the political maneuvering during the reigns of William III and Anne, emphasizing the influence of Queen Mary of Modena, whose maternal ambition kept the cause alive at St. Germain's. The narrative critically analyzes the Union of 1707, detailing the deep discontents in Scotland regarding the loss of sovereignty. Thomson investigates the roles of key figures such as the Earl of Mar, whose conduct during treaty negotiations remained suspect, and the Duke of Hamilton, whose tragic death in a duel cleared the path for Mar to manage public affairs. The author utilizes original letters, including a diary of Lord Mar's proceedings at Perth, to depict the difficulties faced by the General in his council and camp. Thomson portrays the Jacobite party as a mixture of pure and base materials, avoiding the hollowness of French professions and the prejudice of the conquering army's narrative. She acknowledges the destruction of family archives following the Duke of Cumberland's conquest but successfully reconstructs the stories of families like the Radcliffes (Derwentwater), the Camerons (Lochiel), and the Drummonds. Through these biographical sketches, the work seeks to uphold the self-sacrifices of the Stuart cause while maintaining a strict, impartial scrutiny of conduct. The text serves as a corrective to earlier ephemeral productions intended merely to gratify curiosity, offering instead a comprehensive history grounded in original sources and family testimonies.

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4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Politics