Last Battle Fought on the Soil of Great Britain

While George II. of England was engaged in the war of the "Austrian Succession," Charles Edward (called the "Young Pretender"), a grandson of King James II. of England, landed in Scotland, and made two attempts to obtain the throne of his ancestors. He was victorious in the battle of Falkirk; but the Duke of Cumberland, son of George II., having been recalled from the Continent to take command of the king's forces, the Pretender was entirely defeated at Culloden Moor, a plain in Scotland, four miles from Inverness. This was the last battle fought on the island of Great Britain (April 16, 1746), and it was also the last attempt on the part of the Stuart family to recover the throne of Great Britain.

Charles Edward Stuart escaped to France after he had wandered for five months in the Highlands, pursued by his enemies. He died in Rome, Jan. 30, 1788.

The Duke of Cumberland gave no quarter. The wounded were all slain; and the jails of England were filled with prisoners, many of whom were executed. Among the latter number were Lords Balmerino, Kilmarnock, and Lovat,--Lovat being the last person who was beheaded in England.