1680-1690s Scotland

Today’s lecture focuses on: the increasing tensions between Scotland and England during the 1680s and 1690s; the reasons for these tensions; and the reactions of the Scots to the changing world.
This period covers the late Stuart era, the Glorious Revolution, and the rise of Jacobitism in Scotland.
Key themes include religion, dynastic legitimacy, parliamentary power, and cross-border political realignments.

Major dynastic figures involved in the Stuart succession and related alliances:
- Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales (1594-1612)
- Elizabeth Stuart (1596-1662)
- Frederick V, King of Bohemia; Elector Palatine (1596-1632)
- Sophia of Hanover (1630-1714)
- William II of Orange (1626-1650)
- Ernst Augustus, Elector of Hanover (1629-1698)
- Mary Stuart (1631-1660)
- William III (1650-1702) and Mary II (1662-1694) – joint monarchs after the Glorious Revolution
- Catherine of Braganza (1638-1705)
- Charles I (1600-1649); executed in 1649
- Henrietta Maria (1609-1669) – wife of Charles I; Coat of Arms of France
- Charles II (1630-1685)
- James II (1633-1701)
- Anne Hyde (1638-1671)
- Mary of Modena (1658-1718)
- Anne (1665-1714) – daughter of James II/I and wife of Prince George of Denmark (not listed in detail here)
- Anne Coat of Arms
- Maria Sobieski (1702-1735)
- James Francis Stuart, ‘The Old Pretender’ (Jacobite claimant)
What this list signals:
- A web of dynastic claims and intermarriages linking Scotland, England, Ireland, and continental dynasties.
- The roots of loyalty to different heirs in Scotland (e.g., James VII/II) versus the new arrangement under William III and Mary II.
Significance:
- Dynastic loyalties influenced political choices in Scotland, including support for James VII/II or for William and Mary after 1688.
- The shared and contested royal lineage helped shape the legitimacy debates that underpinned the later Jacobite uprisings.

James II’s Catholicism and policies that favored Catholics alarmed many Protestant subjects.
The birth of a Catholic son in June $1688$ secured a Catholic succession in the eyes of his supporters.
Leading English Protestant nobles invited William of Orange, James’s Protestant son-in-law, to invade.
William landed in England in November $1688$ with a sizable force; James fled and was exiled to France with his Royal Court.

On arrival in France, the English Parliament declared that James had effectively abdicated by fleeing.
In February $1689$ , Parliament offered the English and Scottish crowns jointly to William and his wife, Mary (James’s Protestant daughter).
This moment marked the beginning of the rule of William III and Mary II.

Scotland negotiated a separate deal with William and Mary for its crown.
The Scottish Parliament granted William $28$ months’ worth of funding for a war he was fighting with the French, demonstrating support for a Dutch prince over James, a Stuart descendant.
To finalize the decision, the Scottish Parliament requested letters from William and James stating why they should be Scotland’s monarch.

On $11$ April $1689$ , the Scottish Parliament produced the Claim of Right.
The Claim offered William and Mary the throne if they remedy abuses of James VII’s reign.
James was accused of having ‘forfeited’ the crown through his conduct.
The Articles of Grievance accompanied the Claim of Right with the aim of preventing the monarch from controlling the Scottish Parliament.
William and Mary reluctantly accepted this settlement.
This settlement imposed more limits on the monarch than the English settlement.

Soon after William and Mary took power, Jacobites moved into action.
The rebellion was led by James Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee (often called ‘Bonnie Dundee’).
The central motivation was loyalty to James VII (James II of England), but the rebellion also reflected deep clan allegiances and rivalries.
One of the largest Scottish clans, the Campbells, joined in support of William and Mary.

Dynastic Loyalty: Many in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of England remained loyal to James II/I, believing in the divine right of kings and opposing parliamentary overthrow.
Religious Conflict: James’s supporters were predominantly Catholic or Episcopalians who opposed Protestant rule under William and Mary.
Political Discontent: William’s imposition of rule in Scotland was seen as an infringement on national parliamentary sovereignty and traditional governance.

Raising of James’s Standard on Dundee Law in $1689$ (March).
Battle of Killiecrankie in July $1689$ (perceived momentum, Highland charge, terrain advantage for Jacobites).
Jacobite momentum waned after Killiecrankie; insufficient capitalizing on early gains.
Decisive defeat at the Battle of the Boyne in July $1690$ ended James’s hopes of regaining the throne.

On $27$ July $1689$ , Jacobite forces of about $2000-2500$ faced Williamite government troops of about $4000$ at Killiecrankie in Perthshire.
The Jacobites held the higher ground and used the Highland charge effectively, exploiting terrain advantages.
The government army was relatively inexperienced; many soldiers fired only once before retreating, ending the battle within minutes.
The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of disciplined Jacobite tactics and Highland mobility, but shifted momentum after the fighting ended.

The Jacobites suffered about a third of their forces killed or wounded in the engagement.
Viscount Dundee was wounded by a stray musket ball and died subsequently, removing Jacobite leadership on the field.
Approximately $1200$ government troops were killed or wounded.
With Dundee’s death, the Jacobites lost their main field commander and future prospects for immediate successes diminished.

The rebellion had a lasting impact on Scotland, particularly the Highlands, where clan rivalries and divisions were exacerbated.
The defeat of the Jacobites marked the beginning of a period of repression and decline for Highlands clans, contributing to the subsequent Jacobite uprisings of $1715$ and $1745$ .
The political landscape shifted toward greater central oversight and a reworking of Highland governance in the wake of the rebellion.

William sought to minimize remaining threats from clans that might still support James VII/I.
He demanded that clan chiefs swear an oath of allegiance to him by $1$ January $1692$ ; clans that did not would be punished by the ‘utmost extremity of the law’.
A late oath from Clan Maclain led to the Glencoe Massacre in February $1692$ .

The news of the Massacre spread across Europe, prompting a government inquiry.
The Scottish Parliament declared the affair an act of murder; the Earl of Stair resigned as Secretary of State for Scotland.
There was an increase in Jacobite support following the Massacre.
William was perceived as disinterested in Scotland and as using government troops to deal with domestic issues, which fueled resentment and further political polarization.