Jacobitism

Jacobitism was the name for a political movement active from 1688 to the end of the 18th century. Its primary objective was the restoration of the exiled House of Stuart to the British throne. It was strongest in Ireland, the Western Scottish Highlands, Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Wales, and Northern England.

In November 1688, the Glorious Revolution replaced James II of England with his daughter Mary II of England, and her husband William III. Jacobites argued that since kings held their office through divine right, the entire post-1688 regime was illegitimate. However, since Jacobitism served as an outlet for popular discontent, it contained a complex mix of ideas, many opposed by the Stuarts themselves.

In addition to the 1689–1691 Williamite War in Ireland and Jacobite rising of 1689 in Scotland, there were serious revolts in 1715, 1719 and 1745, French invasion attempts in 1708 and 1744, and numerous unsuccessful plots. While the 1745 Rising briefly seemed to threaten the Hanoverian monarchy, its defeat in 1746 ended Jacobitism as a serious political movement.

Political background

Jacobite ideology originated with James VI and I, who in 1603 became the first monarch to rule all three kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland. Its basis was divine right, which emphasised the crown's descent by hereditary right, and represented an attempt by James to forestall controversy over his appointment by Elizabeth I as her successor. However, his concept of personal rule eliminated the need for Parliaments, and required political and religious union, concepts widely unpopular in all three kingdoms, but especially England.