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Lord George Murray [Am Morair Deòrsa Moireach], c 1700 - 1760. Jacobite general
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Lord George Murray [Am Morair Deòrsa Moireach], c 1700 - 1760. Jacobite general About 1746

On Display PORTRAIT GALLERY

  • Scottish Art
Lord George Murray was born at Huntingtower, near Perth. He joined the 1745 Rising and led the Jacobites to victory at Prestonpans on 21 September 1745. But he and Prince Charles Edward Stuart clashed constantly and it was said that had 'Prince Charles slept during the whole of expedition and allowed Lord George to act for him, he would have found the crown of Great Britain on his head when he awoke.' After the defeat at Culloden in 1746, Lord George escaped to France and spent the rest of his life in exile. This sensitive miniature was drawn by Robert Strange, himself an ardent Jacobite who was present throughout the campaign.

Glossary Open

1745 Rising

An attempt by followers of Prince Charles Edward Stuart (or 'Bonnie Prince Charlie') to reclaim the British throne for the Stuart dynasty. The Prince landed in the Outer Hebrides from France in July 1745. With the support of many Highland chiefs he gathered an army and marched south. The rebels had significant victories against the Hanoverian troops and reached as far as Derby. There they turned back, unsure of their ability to take London, and were pursued by government forces. The final battle was held at Culloden in 1746 where Bonnie Prince Charlie was decisively beaten and hopes of a Jacobite restoration were dashed.

Battle of Culloden

A battle fought on Culloden Moor near Inverness in 1746 between supporters of the exiled House of Stuart - led by the Young Pretender, Prince Charles Edward Stuart - and government troops led by the Duke of Cumberland. The government victory effectively brought the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion to an end and resulted in a repression of Highland culture as punishment.

Jacobite

Jacobitism was a movement to restore the descendants of the Stuart King James VII and II to the British throne. The first claimant, Prince James Francis Edward (known as 'the Old Pretender') was exiled first in France, then Italy, from where he planned unsuccessful attempts to claim the throne. His son Prince Charles Edward (known as 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' or 'the Young Pretender') famously invaded Britain in 1745, but after some military successes was finally defeated at Culloden in 1746.

1745 Rising, Battle of Culloden, Jacobite

Details

  • Acc. No. PG 2754
  • Medium Chinese ink
  • Size Oval: 9.00 x 7.30 cm
  • Credit Purchased 1988

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Scottish Art