Bonnie Prince Charlie

Full Name: Charles Edward Stuart
Profession: Pretender to the British throne

Nationality:

Biography: Charles Edward Stuart, 'the Young Pretender' or Bonnie Prince Charlie as he was popularly called, was the grandson of Catholic King James II of England, deposed in the 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688. Born into exile both he and his father James Edward, 'the Old Pretender' continued to maintain their claim to the British throne.

In 1745 the Prince lead the Jacobite rebellion against the British throne in his father's name. Initially he had the support of a French naval force to invade but it was swept away in a storm. The Prince continued on and landed in Scotland to raise an army where the Stuarts still had strong support.

The Princes' forces marched on and took Edinburgh before turning south for London. They reached Derby before turning back to Scotland. The Prince's support began to fade and his remaining forces were defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Pursued by British troops, the Prince then evaded capture for 5 months, aided by local people, before escaping to France. His later life was a disappointment; he lived a life mostly of drunkenness and debauchery and his much younger wife left him amid claims of domestic abuse.

Despite this bitter end, Bonnie Prince Charlie's reputation as a popular romantic hero continues in Scotland to this day.

Born: December 20, 1720
Birthplace: Palazzo Muti, Rome, Papal States
Star Sign: Sagittarius

Died: January 30, 1788 (aged 67)
Cause of Death: Stroke