Stuart, Charles Edward Louis Philip Casimir

Stuart, Charles Edward Louis Philip Casimir (1720-88), known as the 'Young Pretender' and 'Bonnie Prince Charlie', b. Rome, Italy.

Charles Stuart was the eldest son of James Stuart, the 'Old Pretender' who claimed the throne of Britain.

At the age of thirteen, he took part in the Siege of Gaeta, Italy, and impressed people with his bravery.

In 1743, he led a fleet from France to invade England, but the fleet was wrecked in a storm. Two years later, with seven companions, he landed in Scotland. He raised an army and began the rebellion known as 'the 45'. He captured Edinburgh without a battle and defeated an English army at Prestonpans.

Then he marched into England as far south as Derby. But Charles had to withdraw to Scotland and there, on 16 April, 1746, his forces were routed in the Battle of Culloden.

For five months Charles lived the life of a hunted man with a price of £30,000 on his head.

With the help of a girl named Flora MacDonald, he escaped to the Isle of Skye and then to France, and later settled in Rome.

The song Over the Sea to Skye is about Charles's escape to Skye.

See The Flight of Bonnie Prince Charlie ~ Hugh Douglas