Bonnie Prince Charlie

Use our light-hearted printable activities to learn about Bonnie Prince Charlie with your younger children! We've got a fun collection of printables to explore below.

Learn a Little About Bonnie Prince Charlie

Charles Edward Stuart (1720-1788), better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie or The Young Pretender, was the grandson of the last Stuart king of England and Scotland, James II and VII. His grandfather, king from 1685 to 1688, had been deposed by Parliament, who feared he was too Catholic to rule Protestant England, and instead invited the Dutch William and Mary to replace him. When King James II went into his exile, his family and their supporters, the Jacobites, immediately began to plot to regain the throne.

Bonnie Prince Charlie was brought up in Italy, where his father had been given a residence by the Pope. He had a privileged childhood and was trained early as a "Pretender" - that is, a claimant to the throne. In 1743, when he was 23 years old, his father appointed him Prince Regent and gave him the authority to act in his name, and he rallied an army in his support with help for the French and set off for the Highlands of Scotland. He quickly captured Edinburgh, and in 1745 defeated the government's army at the battle of Prestonpans, then took Carlisle and marched south to Derbyshire. The future was looking good for the heroic and handsome Bonnie Prince Charlie, but he was over-confident. At the Battle of Culloden the Jacobite army was soundly defeated by the better-equipped and better-trained English army. Many Scots were killed and Bonnie Prince Charlie had to flee the country.

His escape from the English forces turned him into a folk hero in parts of Scotland. Songs were written about him - see below! He hid in the moors and always seemed to be one step ahead of his pursuers. Although there was a huge reward on his head, none of the Highlanders who helped him and hid him were tempted to turn him in. Eventually a lady called Flora Macdonald helped him to escape to the Isle of Skye, disguising him as her maid! From there he escaped to France and the Jacobite cause was lost.

Bonnie Prince Charlie had numerous affairs and several illegitimate children, and one unsuccessful marriage. He died in Italy aged 67, an embittered, unpleasant and alcoholic old man.

Bonnie Prince Charlie Printables