The Jacobites

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

This course examines the rise and fall of the Jacobite cause, looking at key events including Culloden and its aftermath. It will explore the military, political and social factors of the Jacobite period, including Anglo-Scottish relations, the development of traditional clan raiding practices, and the occupation of the Highlands by the British Army.

Course Details

Content of Course

Beginning with the fall of the Stewart dynasty in the 17^th century, the course will look at the early Jacobite risings into the 18^th century, through key figures such as Charles Edward Stewart, Bonnie Prince Charlie. The key events of the 1745 rising and the Battle of Culloden in 1746 will be placed in context, and their aftermath explored: unrest and guerrilla tactics in the Highlands and the occupation by British forces. The course will also consider romantic depictions of the Jacobite period, and the enduring legacy.

Teaching method(s)

Students will be taught through informal lecture and supported discussion. Classes will include analysis of primary sources to support analysis and understanding of the course themes. Formative verbal feedback will be given in class for individual contributions and group discussions.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

Assess the key events and interpretations of the Jacobite period.
Place the Jacobite period in the wider context of political, religious and social issues in Scotland and beyond.
Analyse primary sources and use evidence to augment discussion and argument.

Sources

Core Readings

There is no essential reading. The recommended titles below may be of interest to students, but there is no expectation to purchase any of these books.

Black, J. (1993) Culloden and the '45. Stroud: Sutton.

Lenman, B. (1995) Jacobite Risings in Britain 1689-1746. Dalkeith: Scottish Cultural Press.
Lynch, M. (1992) Scotland: A New History. London: Pimlico.
Lynch, M., ed. (1995) Jacobitism and the '45. London: The Historical Association.
Nevin, M. (2020) Reminiscences of a Jacobite. Edinburgh: Birlinn.

Paton, H. ed. (1895) The Lyon in Mourning Scottish. Edinburgh: SHS.

Pittock, M. (2016) Culloden. Oxford: OUP.

Zimmerman, D. (2003) The Jacobite Movement in Scotland and in Exile 1746-1759. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Web Sources

BBC In Our Time podcasts: The Jacobite Rebellion https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00548y0

BBC You’re Dead to Me podcast: The Jacobites

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ff9cnd

BBC In Our Time podcast episodes also available on other aspects of 17^th and 18^th centuries.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.