As matters transpired, the Pope over-ruled ‘King Henry IX’ and finally recognised Bonnie Prince Charlie as ‘King Charles III’ on his deathbed – just as he drew his last breath. I assume that the Pope believed this would allow him to enter Catholic Heaven as a ‘King’ – in recognition of his services to the Vatican – if indeed that was what they were (as I am not convinced this was his primary motivating drive). The thousands of Gaelic-speaking, kilted Scotsman who fought with sword and shield against musket, canon and bayonet were surely fighting for something far more visceral. Having visited the Battlefield of Colluden a number of times (and run across it as the Clansman did) this remains my viewpoint today! These brave and great Clansman ‘stood’ for nearly an hour whilst British canons blew their bodies into tiny pieces! They then initiated a Highland Charge after displaying such iron bravery the likes of which is rare throughout the history of military affairs! Surely reminiscent of the Spartans and the Zulu at their absolute best! Whatever the case, as the true ‘Celts’ of Britain – we lit incense sticks out of respect and placed them on the burial mounds representing each ‘Clan’! Hundred were killed in the fighting and then the British (government) soldiers bayonetted the wounded – rolling all the bodies into mass graves denoted by the differing colour of tartan (an institution inflicted by the British so that the various Clans could be easily ‘distinguished’).
