1715

Jacobite rebellion

In November, supporters of James II's son James Francis Edward Stuart (known as the Old Pretender) raised a rebellion in Scotland. John Erskine, the Earl of Mar, led the Scottish rebels, in what was known as The Rebellion of Fifteen, against the House of Hanover.

Northern England, Thomas Forster rallied English Jacobites to join the cause. The Jacobites, led by Forster, took control Preston on November 9. Government troops advanced on Preston and Forster gained initial success in the fighting. The government troops surrounded the town and the Jacobites surrendered on November 17.

The Earl of Mar led 10,000 rebels into battle at Sheriffmuir on the day of Forster’s surrender, November 17. Mar and his men were held fast at Sheriffmuir and prevented from moving south by a much smaller force of about 3,000 men. John Campbell, Duke of Argyle, led the government troops.

The Old Pretender arrived in Scotland a month later (December 22) but his support had dwindled. He was welcomed in Scotland in January 1716. However he failed to gain sufficient support to face the government forces and he returned to France with the Earl of Mar in February.