Following his exile in France, James Francis Edward Stuart (The Old Pretender – the son of James II, the deposed Catholic King of England and Ireland and James VIII of Scotland), landed at Petershead in Scotland on the 22nd of December 1715.
The objective of the ill-conceived Jacobite rebellion was to regain the English throne which, at the time, was entrusted to the Protestant George I.
After a farcical clash with the English at Sheriffmuir in November 1715 (The ‘Fifteen), the Jacobite rebellion had effectively failed and in February 1716, James once again fled to France with his tail fairly tucked between his legs.
James’ French benefactor, King Louis XIV died in September 1715 and upon his return to Paris, James found the French unwelcoming, but managed to secure refuge and an annuity in Rome where, known as ‘Old Mr. Misfortunate’ he remained until his death in January 1766.
Jack Plane
Pegs and 'Tails 