Historic Dilston

What part did the Radcliffes play in the 1715 Rising?

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On 6 September 1715, the Stuart standard was raised in the Highlands of Scotland by the Earl of Mar. Four weeks later, the Northumbrian Jacobites, led by the Earl of Derwentwater and Thomas Forster, MP for the county, and also Charles Radcliffe, rose up in rebellion. Traditionally, the Earl of Derwentwater is reputed to have been reluctant to take up arms – and been persuaded to do so by his wife. However, it is also argued that as a close relation to Prince James (who was viewed by the Jacobites as James lll, the rightful king of England) the Earl of Derwentwater must surely have been party to the plotting.

The combined Scottish and English Jacobite forces headed for Lancashire where they had expected to gather further support from the many Stuart sympathisers in that county. But, at Preston, the rebels were completely overwhelmed and defeated by the army of George l. The Earl of Derwentwater and Charles his brother together with several other noblemen, numerous gentleman and their followers, were taken prisoner. Many of the rebels were hanged in Lancashire prisons or transported to American plantations whilst the leaders with about two hundred other prisoners were escorted to London. The Earl of Derwentwater was charged with high treason, condemned to death and beheaded on Tower Hill on 24 February 1716. Charles managed to escape to the Continent. Much later, in 1745, he was re-captured while on his way to join the second Jacobite Rising. He was then beheaded the following year.