Photographs of the Bonnie Prince Charlie Parade 2001
in Derby, England

This page features pictures and historical information about the following:
Bonnie Prince Charlie aka Prince Charles Edward Stuart "The Young Pretender"

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• Photos of the Bonnie Prince Charlie Parade, Derby, Derbyshire, England.
Around 11.00 am on December 4th 1745, two officers from Bonnie Prince Charlie's army arrived in Derby to demand billets for their men. The army followed, and gathered in the Market Place. Estimates of the number of men in the Prince's army vary from 5,000 to 9,000, but as the population of Derby then was barely 6,000, the arrival of the Highlanders must have made a
considerable impact. The Mayor of Derby, Robert Hague, and the Aldermen, fled the town, fearing that they would be taken prisoner, but the townsfolk were cautiously welcoming and lit bonfires and rang bells.

At first, all seemed to bode well for the Prince in Derby. He was only 126 miles from London and news had reached him that more support had arrived in Scotland with the landing of Lord John Drummond at Montrose with 1,000 Irish and Scottish troops, paid for by the French. Further French support was promised. On the evening of December 4th, Bonnie Prince Charlie had every reason to be optimistic, and an advance party secured Swarkestone Bridge on the main road to London.

On December 5th, a local tax secured £3,000 for the Prince. But during the day worrying news reached the Duke of Perth. Captain Dudley Bradstreet, who had just travelled to Derby, said that the Duke of Cumberland's army was already at Lichfield, with Richmond's army of 9,000 nearby, and Ligonier's army was at Northampton. This information altered the prospect of success for the Prince. It now seemed that the Highlanders were outnumbered and their path to London was blocked.

At a council meeting in Exeter House, the Prince's officers, in particular the commander, Lord George Murray, strongly advised an immediate retreat. They thought they would be more likely to succeed when the French support had joined them.

Charles did not agree and felt bitter and betrayed because he was forced to retreat by the lack of support from his staff.

His own words tell of his disappointment and disillusionment: "In future, I shall summon no councils, since I am accountable to nobody for my actions but to God and my father, and therefore I shall no longer either ask or accept advice".

The decision to retreat was carried out swiftly. Before dawn on December 6th, under the cover of darkness, the Highland army began to leave Derby. By 11.00 am, all were gone. It was to prove the turning point for the rebellion and for Bonnie Prince Charlie's fortunes.

This set of photos shows the annual parade to mark this event. This event is organised by Richard Felix (see my Ghost page for info), Richard has been organising this parade since 1990. It is acted out by the Charles Edward Stuart Society.

To find out when the event will be held this year, Please visit the Derby messageboard by
clicking HERE

Click to see a LARGE version of this
 Photo Description : The start of the parade on Wilmot Street.
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-01
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
Other Information : This is the very start of the parade at around 12:20 on Wilmot street.
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 Photo Description : Bonnie Prince Charlie parade on Osmaston Road.
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-02
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
Other Information : The parade has marched left out of Wilmot street and is heading down Osmaston Road.
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 Photo Description : Bonnie Prince Charlie parade at the Spot.
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-03
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
Other Information : Here they have reached The Spot

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 Photo Description : Bonnie Prince Charlie himself.
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-04
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
Other Information : This is Bonnie Prince Charlie on St Peters Street
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 Photo Description : Bonnie Prince Charlie parade on St Peters street.
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-05
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
Other Information : As you can see there is a lot of people involved with this parade.
Click to see a LARGE version of this
 Photo Description : The Gun.
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-06
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
Other Information : This Gun has been pulled all the way from Wilmot street to here, which is the bottom of Iron gate. At this point the parade stopped outside a pub which is called "Laffertys" and banged on the door.
This pub used to be called The George and a petition has been issued to return it to this name.

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 Photo Description : More of the parade on Iron Gate.
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-07
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
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 Photo Description : Bonnie Prince Charlie parade on its way to the Silk Mill
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-08
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
Other Information : Here we see they have gone around the top of Iron Gate and around past the Silk Mill pub.
Click to see a LARGE version of this
 Photo Description : The Battle
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-09
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
Other Information : This is the start of the battle on the grass area by the Silk Mill. They are using authentic muskets which are extremely loud when fired!

Click to see a LARGE version of this
 Photo Description : The Battle
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-10
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
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 Photo Description : The Battle continues.
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-11
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001
Click to see a LARGE version of this
 Photo Description : The end of the Battle.
Image Reference No. : DP-021201BONNIEPRIN-12
Date photo taken : 2nd December 2001


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