Rediscover the untold tales of British Royals and stories of insubordination, which led to exile, insurgence and reorganization of an entire kingdom.
The British royal family and their history of monarchical rule implicate tales of rebellion, exile and atrocities, which a regular reader will find astonishing and challenging to consider. The stories of exile show instances of scandal, political manipulation and betrayal, which show the ever-volatile and fickle nature of the monarchy and how people in power were killed, removed and conspired.
Here are a few stories of exile and betrayal which will leave you in awe and disbelief –
Edward VIII and the Abdication Crisis of 1936
A tale of two people in love where love presided over the desire for power. A story which shook the entire British monarchy and broke social stereotypes that condemned unification irrespective of caste, national borders or self-interests. The tale features the love of Edward VIII for Walis Simpson and a marriage which led to a constitutional crisis. Edward VIII was a former King of the United Kingdom who was later entitled the Duke of Windsor position. Edward was the successor of George V, a King of the British dominions and the Emperor of India.
Cut to the chase, Edward fell in love with an American Divorcee, Walis Simpson, and later married her, which was against his advisors’ and counsellors’ interests and suggestions. It is because Walis was sued for divorce by her past husband and hence was a divorcee, which was genuinely unacceptable, both on a social and political level. The Church of England also opposed the marriage as divorced people were not allowed to remarry if their ex-spouses were still alive.
However, Edward’s love for Walis and his marriage made him unfit for the rest of his tenure. It led to abdication, where Edward’s self-imposed exile created a major constitutional crisis, where people started questioning the church’s authority and suitability of the new Queen Consort. However, Edward did not regret his decision to exile his throne. In an interview in 1970, Edward confirmed to BBC that he had no regret whatsoever about his decision and intention.
James II and the Glorious Revolution
Now, let’s go back 100 or 200 years and narrate the intent, process and consequences of the Glorious Revolution. After Charles II, who ruled the British dominions from 1660-1685, came James II, widely considered a catholic monarch in history. He is also known for introducing a vast number of catholic policies, including the Declaration of Indulgence policy, which suspended penal laws against dissenters who were Catholics and of other religions and the Test Act policy, where officials of the public domain were compelled to swear allegiance and oath to the King and the Protestant English Church and so on.
The British monarchy under his rule was also criticized as he provided relaxation to penal laws which were against Roman Catholics and Catholic Officers. His close ties with France were also considered a severe issue which affected his reputation and led to the Glorious Revolution. The biased authority of James II influenced many English leaders to invite William of Orange or James’s son-in-law, William III, to invade England with the hope of revitalizing Protestantism. James II was defeated after the invasion was complete by his own son-in-law and nephew, where little resistance was shown by Anglicans and Anglican leaders.
There was nowhere to go, so James II fled to France, and the Crown was then occupied by William III and his Wife, Mary II, who was also the daughter of the exiled monarch. As confusing as it may sound, the straightforward truth is that a daughter supported his father’s expulsion, with his husband backing her motive. Later, Mary II and William III ruled the throne, as they were declared the joint rulers of the throne. On a positive note, the Glorious Revolution was responsible for creating a new balance of power, giving the Parliament more power than the authority of the British Monarchs.
However, James II made many attempts to regain his throne but never succeeded, which led to the unfortunate Jacobite Rebellion. The rebellion featured the support of loyalists of Scotland and Ireland who considered James II’s son, James Francis Edward Stuart, the faithful successor and the one deserving of the throne.
James Francis Edward Stuart and The Jacobite Rebellion
As previously claimed, the expulsion of James II influenced the Jacobite movement led by his son, Prince Charles Edward Stuart. The rebellion was a series of revolts in Scotland and Northern England, led by the group popularly known as the Jacobites in the 18th century. The Jacobites were supported mainly by enemies of the British monarchy, as they sought the path to distract Britain from its military rule, mainly in other European nations. The aim of the rebellion was also to restore the position of James II as King of England, but this failed miserably due to poor leadership, inefficient planning, and other tactical inefficiencies.
The Jacobite movement gained traction after the victory at Killiecrankle. The movement also gained traction after the death of the then-queen Queen Anne. The Jacobites, led by Edward, won a few battles, like the Battle of Prestonpans, after they captured Edinburg in 1745.
After entering England, the rebellion fell apart as they received no support from the British and the French populace. In the Battle of Culloden, the Jacobites met their tragic end when the British government took control of the throne and resorted to violent actions to restore peace and mitigate the repression of the Highland Culture. After losing the battle, Charles Edward Stuart, called the “Bonnie Prince Charlie”, was in exile, living the rest of his days in France, Rome and Italy.
Unfortunately, he did not have any descendants, which caused the elimination of the Jacobite movement. Now, the atrocities committed against the Jacobites in the era of repression are something worth remembering, which ultimately shows the proper authoritative mindset of the British monarchy.
The government in power, after the rebellion, executed more than 120 Jacobites who were captured in the battle of Culloden. Many Jacobites in support of the uprising were imprisoned, and their estates were confiscated. Many settlements were burnt to the ground, and livestock seized to eliminate the the Jacobite cause. The Crown also outlawed the wearing of the traditional Highland dress in Scotland. Only British soldiers were allowed to wear such clothing.
The extent to which authoritarianism was imposed is still debated and criticized. The insecurity of the then-British Crown led to mass executions and killings, which the modern era will know a little about.
Verdict
There are many instances similar to these which explain the motion of this argument. The list of “Exiled Royals” includes many more names, which shows the atrocious nature of the British monarchy and how it intended to establish complete authority over its dominions. It is the readers’ responsibility to dive deep and look into such instances as it shows how certain decisions affected the common populace, how a group objecting to absolute authority was cornered, and how their mindset and belief system were torn apart.
FAQ
Why did Edward VIII abdicate the throne?
Edward VIII abdicated because he wanted to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. This was unacceptable to the British government and the Church of England at the time.
What happened to Edward VIII after his abdication?
After abdicating, Edward VIII was given the title of Duke of Windsor. He and Wallis Simpson lived in exile, mainly in France.
Did Edward VIII regret his decision to abdicate?
In an interview in 1970, Edward VIII confirmed that he had no regrets about his decision.
What was the Glorious Revolution?
The Glorious Revolution was a bloodless coup d’état that led to the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of a joint monarchy under William III and Mary II.
Why was James II overthrown?
James II was overthrown because of his Catholic policies and his close ties with France. Many English leaders feared that he would restore Catholicism to England.
What were the consequences of the Glorious Revolution?
The Glorious Revolution led to a significant shift in power in England, with Parliament gaining more control over the monarchy. It also established the principle of religious tolerance.
Who were the Jacobites?
The Jacobites were supporters of James II and his son, James Francis Edward Stuart. They believed that James II had been wrongfully deposed and that his son had a rightful claim to the throne.
What was the Jacobite Rebellion?
The Jacobite Rebellion was a series of uprisings in Scotland and England aimed at restoring the Stuart monarchy.
What was the outcome of the Jacobite Rebellion?
The Jacobite Rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful. The Stuart dynasty was not restored, and many Jacobites were punished for their involvement.
Why were there so many rebellions and exiles in British history?
There were many rebellions and exiles in British history due to a variety of factors, including religious differences, political disputes, and personal ambitions.
How did these events shape the British monarchy?
These events had a significant impact on the British monarchy. They helped to strengthen the power of Parliament and to establish the principle of limited monarchy.
What lessons can be learned from the stories of exiled royals?
The stories of exiled royals can teach us about the importance of tolerance, compromise, and the rule of law. They also highlight the dangers of absolutism and the importance of checks and balances in government.
