Flora MacDonald may
be one of the most remembered heroines among Scottish legendry, and even in world
history. The one act that seems to have brought her into the lime-light was
something that she nearly didn’t even do! On the famed night that has been
immortalized by songs, poems, and legends, Flora MacDonald rowed Prince Charles
Stuart safely to the Isle of Sky. Prince Charles then successfully escaped to
France where he was in exile for the rest of his life. For the present let’s
set aside the many legends, and focus on the true story behind this great
heroine, Flora MacDonald.
Flora MacDonald was
born shortly after the first Jacobite uprisings. This first wave of uprisings
was meant to unseat the new Hanoverian king, George I, and restore the Stuart
king, James III, to the throne. James III met with little popularity in
Scotland and even less support in England. In 1745 the second Jacobite
rebellion began when Prince Charles, son of James III, tried to reverse his
father’s defeat and take the throne from George II. Charles gained about as
much popularity as his father had. What support these leaders had was largely
due to the popularity of their Aunt/half sister Queen Anne Stuart. However,
their lack of popularity can be linked to the apathy brought on by the years of
peace under William and Mary and Queen Anne.
On April 16, 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie was
defeated at the Battle of Culloden Moor and sought refuge in the Outer Hebrides.
During the rebellion, the Jacobites were declared outlaws and were legally
punishable. Due to this law, Flora MacDonald was found guilty and imprisoned in
the Tower of London for helping Charlie escape. However, after Prince Charles fled to France,
the 1747 Act of Indemnity was passed lifting all sentences on ‘traitors’ and so
Flora MacDonald was released.
Three years after her release, Flora MacDonald married Allen MacDonald who was a captain in the army and the son of Alexander MacDonald, of Kingburgh. In 1772, they moved to Kingsburgh when Allen’s father, Alexander died. However, when the War for Independence began in 1774, Allen and Flora immigrated to North Carolina since Allen commanded the British 84th Regiment of Foot. Here Flora is seen rallying Loyalist troops. Why was she fighting for the Hanoverians who she seemed to oppose years ago? Perhaps she didn’t want to be on the losing side of another war, perhaps she felt that she was too old to get mixed up in something that had no affect on her. Flora claimed that her involvement with Bonnie Prince Charlie was only humanitarian, so I believe that she was moved by the same motives during the War for Independence. (However, I also feel that she was mislead in this event.)
Three years after her release, Flora MacDonald married Allen MacDonald who was a captain in the army and the son of Alexander MacDonald, of Kingburgh. In 1772, they moved to Kingsburgh when Allen’s father, Alexander died. However, when the War for Independence began in 1774, Allen and Flora immigrated to North Carolina since Allen commanded the British 84th Regiment of Foot. Here Flora is seen rallying Loyalist troops. Why was she fighting for the Hanoverians who she seemed to oppose years ago? Perhaps she didn’t want to be on the losing side of another war, perhaps she felt that she was too old to get mixed up in something that had no affect on her. Flora claimed that her involvement with Bonnie Prince Charlie was only humanitarian, so I believe that she was moved by the same motives during the War for Independence. (However, I also feel that she was mislead in this event.)
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