Saturday, 26 September 2026

James Francis Edward Keith

 James Francis Edward Keith - Wikipedia

James Francis Edward Keith (in later years Jakob von Keith; 11 June 1696 – 14 October 1758) was a Scottish-born army officer and Generalfeldmarschall of the Prussian Army. As a Jacobite he took part in a failed attempt to restore the Stuart Monarchy to Britain. When this failed, he fled to Europe, living in France, and then Spain. He joined the Spanish and eventually the Russian armies and fought in the Anglo-Spanish War and the Russo-Swedish War. In the latter he participated in the conquest of Finland and became its viceroy. Subsequently, he participated in the coup d'état that put Elizabeth of Russia on the throne.

He subsequently served in the Prussian army under Frederick the Great, where he distinguished himself in several campaigns. He died during the Seven Years' War at the Battle of Hochkirch. He received the Black Eagle Order and is memorialised on the Equestrian statue of Frederick the Great.

Walt Disney Presents: Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue - 1954 Trailer (UK/PAL Toned Version)

 A film set in the '15. 

This is worth tracking down

 Jacobite rising of 1715 - Wikipedia

I love the cover of this. Got it from ebay.

Outlander does the 1715 Rebellion

This artcile is from the Jacobite Trail

 Outlander fans are very familiar with the Jacobite Rising of 1745 and the road to Culloden - but Season 2 of Outlander: Blood of My Blood is taking us back to an earlier chapter in Jacobite history: the Rising of 1715.

Known as “The Fifteen”, the rebellion began after the death of Queen Anne and the accession of George I, as the Jacobites sought to restore James Francis Edward Stuart - the father of Bonnie Prince Charlie - to the throne.
And it looks as though the real history of 1715 will be woven closely into the new season.
Brian Fraser and Murtagh return to pledge themselves alongside Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, while at Castle Leoch, Colum and Dougal MacKenzie disagree over the call to arms. Ellen MacKenzie, meanwhile, faces the difficult task of trying to protect her clan whatever the outcome.
These were very real dilemmas in 1715. Highland families and clan chiefs faced decisions that could determine who went to war, whose lands and fortunes were placed at risk and who might later be branded a traitor.
The rising would eventually end in failure, but its story of divided loyalties, family allegiances and the Stuart cause provides a fascinating historical backdrop for Blood of My Blood - and perhaps helps us understand how the world we later see in Outlander was shaped.
If you love the Jacobite history behind Outlander, this is a really interesting look at the real 1715 Rising behind Season 2 of Blood of My Blood. 👇

Friday, 25 September 2026

The '45 Christopher Duffy

 If you haven't read this then order it from your library. It is very readable as is the case for all Duffy books. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.




The Butcher W A Speck

This is a good book. You can find copies on ebay hardback or paperback.
 

Pulteney's (13th Foot)

 Been going for 31 years. Still going strong. (1) Facebook