The Jacobite Rising Part III: The High Water Mark

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Recommended Reading:

The Fight for the Throne by Christopher Duffy

In December 1745, the Stuart restoration was just 120 miles away. The Jacobite army had outmaneuvered two government forces, captured the walled city of Carlisle, and stood at Derby with an open road to London.

Join hosts Dr. Alexander Burns and Dr. Andrew Bamford as they welcome back Dr. Arran Johnston to dissect the "high watermark" of the rebellion, when the Stuart cause was closer to victory than ever before.

In this deep dive, we explore the "all or nothing" mantra of Prince Charles Edward Stuart and the strategic rift within his Council of War. We examine the rapid doubling of the Jacobite army, the psychological impact of invading England, and the sophisticated staff work that allowed 5,000 Highlanders to baffle the Georgian military machine. Discover why the decision to retreat from Derby was not triggered by a single spy, but by a fundamental conflict over the rebellion’s ultimate goals.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Arran Johnston: A multi-published author and director of the Battle of Preston Pans Museum, Dr. Johnston is a leading authority on the military career of the Bonnie Prince and the social history of the Jacobite armies.

Whats Missing?

The Full Uncut Version (available to our War Room members) contains 40 minutes of exclusive content including:

• The "Nobleman's Regiments": A detailed look at the 11 regiments of foot and "Blues" units raised by English gentry to "crush rebellious Scots"
• English Jacobitism: Why support remained "deafening by its silence" and the difficulty of measuring sympathy versus active military support
• Wargaming the "What Ifs": Extended analysis of what would have happened if the Jacobites had pushed to London, including potential Royal Navy interference and King George II’s resolve
• The Bradstreet Myth: A "Murmurs in the Camp" debunking of the famous government spy who supposedly turned the army around

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] – Recap: The rapid descent from Glenfinnan to Edinburgh
• [12:15] – The Strategic Divide: Consolidating Scotland vs. momentum for London
• [22:45] – Siege of Carlisle: Breaking a nut that Scots had failed to crack for centuries
• [35:00] – The Red-Coated Blob: Marshall Wade, Cumberland, and the defense of London
• [55:00] – Arrival at Derby: 125 miles from the capital and the "immovable object" of the Council
• [1:05:00] – Black Friday: Conducting a dangerous winter retreat without losing the guns