Drummossie Moor Near Culloden Scotland

16th April 1746

Much talked about this battle was not between England and Scotland but was a truly civil war involving much of the brutality these kind of conflicts usually bring.

1746 was actually the last of four Jacobite rebellions the chronology of these were as follows

1689
James II (James VI of Scotland) was usurped from the British throne. He was a Catholic and had endeavoured to incorporate Catholics back into main stream English affairs after their persecution by Elizabeth I. He also wished to return to the more traditional absolute monarch which does not appeal to the English.
His replacement William III (a.k.a William of Orange and 'King Billy') is Dutch and a protestant. There then follows the first rebellion, his supporters are named Jacobites after the Latin for James.
William defeats James at the battle of the Boyne in Ireland, a battle that has significance felt to this day.

1715
After James death his son also called James a.k.a. The Old Pretender raises rebellions in 1715 and 1719. On both occasions battles are fought over the UK with English and Scots on both sides divided mainly by religion. The ruling Hannover dynasty wins both contests.
 
 
1745
James son Charles Edward Stuart raises rebellion again. After early success he invades England hoping for popular support but only manages to raise 300 English volunteers (known as the Manchester Regiment). He retreats to Scotland where in 1746 he is defeated at Culloden. This was the last battle fought on British soil.

Tactics for the Battle

The Jacobites had little artillery and only a few cavalry. The only real tactic open to the army was the highland charge, which had previously routed mainly raw Government troops. At Culloden however the Prince had allowed the battle to take place on ground totally unsuitable for this tactic.
 
In addition the Government troops had been drilled in a new tactic which effectively stopped the Highland charge and introduced a new and deadly weapon, the bayonet.
 
The result was complete the defeat of the Prince and his army.

Aftermath

Undoubtedly the saddest and most controversial part of the whole affair.
The Stuart Kings had been unpopular monarchs even in Scotland from where they hailed, but they had found their main power base in the western clans of the highlands. At that time the Clans were little more than feudal tribes which kept the lower classes even more oppressed than their English and Scots counterparts. The Clan chieftains wielded power of life and death over their 'subjects'. In times of war, be it with the English or other clans they were able to order all the clan men to take up arms. Quite often these men were anything between 14 and 70 yrs old and were armed with anything from swords to sticks.
Cumberland was determined that this would be the last Jacobite rebellion by eliminating this power base. He also showed no mercy to the rebel prisoners.
The Royal army set about destroying the clan system during the 'Highland clearances' Deportations and murder were common. Gaelic, their language was banned as was the tartan and highlanders were banned from carrying arms on pain of death.
 
Modern Times
It seems strange that battles fought so long ago, for reasons that have been largely forgotten should have modern day significance, but they do.
Sadly the most obvious example of this is to be found in Northern Ireland where the history between protestant and catholic have been long and bloody. Every year tensions rise when the protestant marching season approaches. The 'Orange Lodges' dress in orange sashes and march to celebrate William of Orange's success in July 1690 over King James, Charles Stuart Grandfather. There are also many marches by Orange Lodges in Scotland.

Combatants

Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charley a.k.a. The Young pretender) with an army of 4,000, mainly incorporating highland clans with some regular Irish/French troops. Charles was Italian by birth and new little about 'his people' he was a brave man but had limited military experience. His greatest mistakes were to ignore his ablest Commander Lord George Murray in favour of less able counsel.

William Augustus, The Duke Of Cumberland later known among the Scots as 'Butcher' with an army of 9,000 troops, mainly well equipped English regiments but also lowland Scots and Highlanders, more Scots in fact than are with Charles. Cumberland was an imposing figure, being 16st (224 pounds) but was an experienced commander and well liked by his own troops.