Well, that’s not quite right. But perhaps “close enough for gubmint work,” as they say.
Two-hundred seventy-nine years ago today, Prince Charles Edward Louis John Sylvester Maria Casimir Stuart raised his standard (and his pretension to the British throne) in the Lochaber district of Glenfinnan in the Scottish Highlands.
“The Young Pretender.” Also known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie.”
Lord. I’ve seen most of Outlander (which didn’t do the guy any favors, if you ask me). I’ve read enough novels about the period (highly recommend John Buchan’s Midwinter). And I know the actual history.
Charlie’s father (“The Old Pretender”) was James Francis Edward Stuart, son of James II of England. When Dad was deposed in 1688’s Glorious Revolution, the Dutchman William of Orange and James’s half-sister Mary ruled jointly (a bit of an aberration, that). But it sent the Scottish contingent into orbit, and continued the secretive dinner toast “to the King, over the water,” which had originated among the Stuart faithful after the ouster of James II.
The rebellion that Bonnie Prince Charlie instigated all those years ago, on August 19, 1745, and which came to be known as–simply–“The 45,” came to a stunning and tragic end eight months later at the Battle of Culloden. Pace Jamie and Claire, and even without the interesting time-travel bit, it was pretty predictable, perhaps even inevitable.
What a bloody awful waste. And a reminder–maybe–that “pretending” under any circumstances really isn’t the best idea. All remaining members of the Scottish National Party take note and–perhaps–call your office? If you still have one?
Returning once again to the post title, here’s the real thing. Perhaps–when it comes down to it, the Platters and Bonnie Prince Charlie weren’t so far apart after all.
“I’m wearing my heart like a crown.”
If only:
