Part Four: The Clans March South

Part Four: The Clans March South

After the victory at Prestonpans, the Jacobite cause stood at its strongest point in decades. Edinburgh had fallen, government forces in Scotland had been defeated, and Charles Edward Stuart now commanded a confident and growing army. For many of his supporters, this was no longer a rebellion on the fringes. It felt like the beginning of restoration.

But success in Scotland was only part of the challenge. If the Stuarts were to regain the throne, it would not be decided in the Highlands or even in Edinburgh. It would be decided in England. The question was no longer whether the Jacobites could rise.

It was whether they could take the fight south and win broader support. Charles believed they could. Undoubtedly, this was a critical moment. The Prince was determined to press on, convinced that English Jacobites would rise once he crossed the border, and that French support would follow. Some of his senior commanders were less certain. They understood the risks. The army was relatively small, supply lines were fragile, and support outside Scotland remained unclear.

Despite these concerns, the decision was made. In November 1745, the Jacobite army marched south into England. At first, the advance was remarkably successful. Town after town fell with little resistance. Carlisle was taken, and the army pushed deeper into English territory. Government forces were slow to respond, and for a time, it seemed as though the Jacobites might achieve what had eluded them for generations.

But as they moved further south, the cracks began to show. The expected wave of English support did not materialise. While there were Jacobite sympathisers, few were willing to commit openly. The rising remained, in reality, a largely Scottish force operating deep in hostile territory. At the same time, government armies were gathering. The Duke of Cumberland was moving north, and other forces were positioning themselves to block the Jacobite advance.

Still, the army continued. By early December, the Jacobites had reached Derby. Just 125 miles from London. It was the furthest south any Jacobite army would ever march. For a brief moment, the possibility of success felt real. Panic spread in parts of England, and the government faced a situation far more serious than many had anticipated.

Yet this was also the point where momentum began to shift. At Derby, the Jacobite leadership faced a decision that would define the rest of the campaign. Intelligence suggested that large government forces were closing in. Crucially, the promised French invasion had not appeared, and English support remained limited.

Charles urged them to press on. His commanders disagreed. They argued that without reinforcements, without wider backing, and with government armies converging, continuing towards London would risk total destruction. After intense debate, the decision was made to turn back. The retreat north began. This moment at Derby was the turning point of the entire rising. It marked the end of Jacobite momentum and the beginning of a very different phase of the campaign.

The army that had marched south in confidence now faced the long journey back... with the initiative no longer in its hands.