Code: PA7700 - Bonnie Prince Charlie & Jacobite Rising: Duke of Cumberland (British) CHESS SET

There are three molds, one for the king and queen, one for the bishop and knight and one for the castle (rook) and the pawns. The image is to show how they can look when cast and painted.

Also available to buy is the Jacobite Scottish Chess Side (Code 7701)

Duke of Cumberland (British) chess side

The Jacobite rising of 1745 - 46, was an attempt by the ousted house of Stuart to re-establish itself on the throne of England which in 1714 had passed to the Hanoverians. Charles Edward Stuart, known to history as "The Young Pretender" and to romance as " Bonnie Prince Charlie" was the Grandson of England's last Stuart King, James II. Born in 1720 Charles Edward lived at the French court of Louis XV and obtained from the king, in 1744, an arrangement to invade England with French troops in the following year in order to oust the house of Hanover and to place the Catholic Stuarts once more on the English throne.

However, bad weather and a strong British naval presence in the channel prevented any French army from embarking on the venture. Charles, undaunted by this, sailed alone for Scotland where he knew the core of Stuart supporters were to be found. Upon landing, several of the highland clans declared for him and were to form the core of his forces. He took Edinburgh and defeated a British force at Prestonpans, after which he began an advance into England itself, hoping to draw support along the way. He was to be disappointed.

The English were at best indifferent to him and few rallied to his cause. Moreover, superior British forces were mustering in the south under the leadership of Willaim Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland, a younger son of the reigning king George II. Charles Edward retreated back to Scotland with the British army close on his heels.

Several engagements followed and culminated in the following year. 1746, at the battle of Culloden moor.

At this battle Charles Edward commanded a force of some 5000 Highlanders, and Cumberland an army of about 9000 regular British troops. The Scottish centre was broken and the highlanders sufferd utter defeat. Cumberland relished the nickname "the Butcher" henceforth bestowed upon him by the Scots.

Charles Edward escaped the slaughter and fled in disguise to the island of Skye, aided by his faithful Flora Macdonald. Thence, he departed to the continent never again to set foot on British soil.