The Jacobite Cause stems from a compicated chain of events which originated in the late 17th century, but A Circle of Gentlemen appreciates that not everyone is well versed in the subject. So for the benefit of those readers unfamiliar with these events, below is an abridged timeline of the main happenings:
King James VII sails to France after a largely bloodless coup by William of Orange and James' daughter Mary.22 January
An English convention declares that James VII has in practice abdicated; and sets out the basis on which his daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange can succeed to the throne. This includes their accepting the primacy of Parliament and the stipulation that no Roman Catholic or spouse of a Roman Catholic can take the crown.14 March-4 April
A Scottish Convention is divided between Williamite supporters of William and Mary, and Jacobite supporters of James VII/II. They consider a reasoned and courteous letter from William, and an arrogant and threatening letter from James Stewart which fatally undermines his own support. The Convention decides James has forfeited his right to the crown, which should be offered instead to William and Mary.11 May
William II and Mary II are crowned joint sovereigns of Scotland, though it is unclear whether they have first formally accepted the constitutional principles set by the Scottish Convention.27 July - Battle of Killiecrankie
The leader of Jacobite dissent in Scotland is Viscount Dundee who gathers an army of Highlanders and a few Irish at Blair Castle. As General Mackay moves a government army of lowland troops north from Dunkeld the two sides meet at the Battle of Killiecrankie. The outcome is a victory for the Jacobites, but at a high cost including the death of Viscount Dundee, or "Bonnie Dundee" as he is remembered.21 August - Battle of Dunkeld
The Jacobite highland army attacks government forces in and around Dunkeld and its Cathedral at the Battle of Dunkeld. Both sides suffer heavy losses and much of the town is destroyed.1 May - Battle of Cromdale
The last organised Jacobite forces are beaten by government troops at Cromdale, near Grantown on Spey.12 July - Battle of the Boyne
William of Orange defeats James VII at the Battle of the Boyne, north of Dublin in Ireland. James returns to France from Ireland, and the hopes of Scottish Jacobites of his return to Scotland evaporate.June
Highland Clan Chiefs who have been opposed to William are offered bribes and an amnesty on condition they swear oaths of allegiance to him.13 February - Massacre of Glencoe
The Glencoe Massacre by government troops under the command of Captain Robert Campbell takes place to punish the Macdonalds for the failure of their chief to swear allegiance to William. The Secretary of State for Scotland, Sir John Dalrymple is later held responsible for the massacre and resigns.28 December
Queen Mary II dies, leaving William II to rule alone.Summer
The English Parliament passes the Act of Settlement. The heir to the crowns of England and Ireland, after William and Mary's surviving heir Anne, is to be the Protestant grand-daughter of King James VI, Sophie, the Electress of Hanover. The succession will then pass in turn her 40 year old son, Prince George of Hanover. The Scottish Parliament is not consulted.5 September - King James VII dies
James VII dies in France. His claim to the throne and the Jacobite cause pass to his 13 year old son, James Francis Edward Stewart. He is recognised by the French King as King James VIII/III of Great Britain, in effect declaring war on William.8 March
William of Orange dies after a fall from his horse. He is succeeded by his sister in law, Queen Anne, who becomes the last Stuart recognised monarch.1 May
The Treaty of Union comes into effect. Queen Anne became the first sovereign of the Kingdom of Great Britain. Riots take place across Scotland as a result.6 March - Second Jacobite Uprising
King James VIII sails from Dunkirk with a French fleet for Scotland with 5,000 troops. His aim is to raise and lead a Jacobite uprising against Queen Anne.13 March
The French fleet arrives in the Firth of Forth, but is then attacked by the Royal Navy. The fleet, and King James, escapes and returns to Dunkirk without landing.1 August
Queen Anne dies and is succeeded by George, Elector of Hanover, under the terms of the 1701 Act of Settlement. George I cannot speak English and is not popular in England.6 September - Third Jacobite Uprising
John Erskine, the 23rd Earl of Mar raises a standard for King James VIII at Braemar that attracts widespread support in north east Scotland.14 September
The Jacobites under Mar take Perth.13 November - Battle of Sheriffmuir
At the Battle of Sherrifmuir near Dunblane the Jacobite army under the Earl of Mar is prevented from taking southern Scotland by a much smaller government force. The battle ends in a draw.22 December
King James lands at Peterhead before moving through Aberdeen and Dundee to the Earl of Mar's Headquarters at Perth.31 January
The Jacobites abandon Perth in the face of reinforced government forces.4 February
King James and the Earl of Mar board a ship at Montrose and leave Scotland for the continent. The Jacobite army simply disbands and dissolves. "The '15" is over.13 April - Fourth Jacobite Uprising
A small Spanish force, believing itself to be part of a much larger invasion planned for England to return the Jacobites to power, lands in Loch Duich, inland from the site of Kyle of Lochalsh.10 May
Royal Navy ships bombard the Spanish headquarters at Eilean Donan Castle and subsequently destroy the castle.10 June - Battle of Glensheil
The Spanish troops, now supported by only 1000 Highland Jacobites, are defeated at the Battle of Glenshiel which takes place on the steep mountainsides flanking the Glen. The Spanish surrender but their part in the battle is remembered by the name of the overlooking mountain, Sgurr nan Spainnteach, or Peak of the Spaniards.31 December - Prince Charles Edward Stuart is born
King James, now living in what later becomes Italy, has a son, Charles Edward Stuart, or "Bonnie Prince Charlie" as he later becomes known through romantic legend.11 June
The Elector of Hanover dies and is replaced by his son "George II".February - Fifth Jacobite Rising
A French fleet intending to invade southern England is caught by the Royal Navy then dispersed by a storm. On board the failed invasion fleet is Prince Charles Edward Stuart.5 July - Sixth Jacobite Rising
Prince Charles Edwards Stuart sails from France for Scotland with two ships. The Elisabeth, carrying his military supplies and gold, is badly damaged in an encounter with a Royal Navy ship and has to turn back.23 July
Charles Edward Stuart reaches the Western Isles before sailing on to land near Arisaig on the mainland with just eight supporters, no supplies, and no funds.16 August - Skirmish at Highbridge
The first shots of "The 45" are fired as Major Donald MacDonald of Tir nan dris routes a much larger Government force under the command of Captain Scott.19 August - Raising of the Standard
Charles Edward Stuart raises his standard at Glenfinnan.4 September
The Jacobite army takes Perth.16 September
The Jacobites take Edinburgh without a fight.21 September - Battle of Prestonpans
At the Battle of Prestonpans, east of Edinburgh, the Jacobites defeat the assembled governmental forces under General Cope in a ten minute engagement.31 October
Charles Edward Stuart moves south from Edinburgh despite views among his supporters that it would be better to retain Scotland and wait for a promised French invasion of England.15 November
Carlisle falls to the Jacobites after they have bypassed Government forces under Field Marshal George Wade.4 December
Charles Edward Stuart and the Jacobite army reaches Derby. In London, only 150 miles south, there is total panic and it is reported that George II is preparing to flee.6 December
In the absence of the promised French invasion of England and in the light of very limited support from English Jacobites, Charles reluctantly withdraws from Derby.19 December - Clifton Moor Skirmish
Lord George Murray leads a rear guard action against a small Government force, the last battle to be fought on English soil.20 December
The Jacobite army retreats into Scotland.8 January
Stirling surrenders to the Jacobite forces.17 January - Battle of Falkirk
A large Jacobite army defeats government forces at the Battle of Falkirk Muir. Charles Edward Stuart, increasingly drunk since Derby, fails to take advantage. Amongst the casualties on the Government side is Sir Robert Munro.1 February
The Jacobites move north in the face of increasingly strong government forces under the Duke of Cumberland.15 April
Lord George Murray leads a failed attack on Cumberland's sleeping forces in night march to Nairn.16 April - Battle of Culloden
The opposing armies finally meet at the Battle of Culloden. Hunger, tiredness and desertion finally take their toll as the Government Army routes Prince Charles' exhausted troops.20 April
Charles flees to Arisaig where he stays for a week.30 April
Four days after Charles leaves Arisaig two French ships carrying supplies and funds arrive in an effort to help him.20 September
After months of living rough and passing secretly into the care of numerous loyal supporters, Charles sails for France from Loch nan Uamh near Arisaig, very close to the spot at which he landed in July 1745.21 September
The Jacobite Cause goes 'underground', but lives on.Following Charles' departure, Government retribution is swift and brutal. Those suspected of supporting the Jacobite cause are either deported, imprisoned or summarily executed. The Highlands will later see a ban on wearing tartan, playing the bagpipes and carrying arms. This will later be followed by 100 years of "the Clearances" which will see thousands of Highlanders forced off their ancestral lands to make way for sheep, and scattered across the globe.