Kings over the Water: The Saga of the Stuart Pretenders

by Theo Aronson

Of all royal lost causes, none has a stronger fascination than that of the Stuart Pretenders to the British throne. For well over a century, four successive Stuart kings laid claim to the crown. The first was James II, deposed in 1688 by his daughter, Mary, and her husband, William of Orange; then came James III (the Old Pretender) and his son, Charles III (Bonnie Prince Charlie — the Young Pretender); finally, there was Henry IX (the Cardinal King) who died in 1807, the last descendant in direct and legitimate line from James II. This book tells the story of these four men, and of their families.

Although it gives a graphic account of the '45 and other Jacobite uprisings and explains the background to political events, it is, first and foremost, a biographical portrait of the exiled Stuarts. It is an account of their public and private lives, their personalities, their relationships with others, and the extraordinary hold which they never ceased to exercise over their adherents. It is a book about people; a book about the twilight of one of the world's most romantic, colourful and ill-fated dynasties.

The fascinating, often bizarre, story of the ‘kings over the water’ is ideally suited to Theo Aronson's exceptional talents, and especially his ability to bring his subjects vividly to life and to make clear the labyrinthine relationships of European royalty. His reputation as an historian, based on such books as The Kaisers, A Family of Kings and Grandmama of Europe, is deservedly high. Of his most recent study, Victoria and Disraeli, C. P. Snow 'It is bright with intelligence and human wisdom.'

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, 18th Century, Historical

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1979

About the author

Theo Aronson is an historical biographer specialising in the Royal Houses of Europe. Among his many widely read books are "The Golden Bees: The Story of the Bonapartes," "Grandmama of Europe" and "Royal Family: Years of Transition."

His books have been published in Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Holland and Belgium.

Theo Aronson lives in an eighteenth-century stone house in Frome, Somerset.

Reviews

[Jeffrey Thiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books I have read about the Kings and Queens of England and Scotland have not given too much detail to the Stuart “kings” who were dispossessed after the Glorious Revolution of 1688 other than passing references as they related to the Jacobite rebellions in the 17th century so I found this work quite interesting. The Catholicism of King James II and the birth of a male heir in 1688 led to the revolution that saw his daughter and husband take the throne as King William III and Queen Mary II and the Act of Succession (1701) which brought the Protestant Hanoverians to Britain in 1714. This work follows the life and political machinations of King James II, his son The Prince of Wales (Jacobite King James III, “The Old Pretender”) and grandsons Prince Charles Edward (Jacobite King Charles III, “The Young Pretender”) and The Cardinal Duke of York (Jacobite King Henry IX) through their exile in France and Italy and the restoration hopes that flared up in 1715 and 1745. It is interesting to note that if the Stuarts had remained, the reign of “King James III” (1701-66) would have surpassed the length of that of Queen Victoria, who would never have come to the throne.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating, fast-paced read about the Stuart Pretenders who lived out their lives clinging to the idea that someday their Catholic countrymen in Scotland and England would rise up and reinstate them to the English throne. The family may have indeed been cursed though, for it all ended up just a dream. After James II fled to France in exile, he was still treated like royalty for the rest of his life in Paris. In later years, his son James III wasn't able to raise enough support from the Catholic Scots (and some Protestant sympathizers) to come close to claiming the throne. This pretender returned to the Continent as well. His son, Charles Edward "Bonnie Prince Charlie" came closest of all, but still failed after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, in which English troops routed the Jacobite Catholic Scots and later killed and imprisoned whole families for treason against the crown.

This is a most interesting and engaging read that covers a lot of ground in a readable way. Recommended.

[Gina Basham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great

I enjoy Mr Aronson's accounts of the great houses of Europe. The Stuart saga is so difficult to understand and keep track of the players. This book helped immensely but I am quite sure I would fail any test on the subject. I have read too many historical non-fiction books to keep track of all the characters. It is fascinating that the Stuart saga continues to this day. Until the European line dies out there will always be a separate line of claimants to the throne. It would be amusing to see our current legal system try to untangle the line and show just cause for the Stuart line to claim the throne. England is quite satisfied with their current royals. I never find Mr Aronson's books dry. I would recommend. Gbash

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truly, the grass is always greener on the other side of the water. The last gasp of the religious wars, the Glorious Revolution removed James II from the throne soley because of his Catholicism. And that religion kept his descendents from reclaiming the throne. Obviously, in looking back, it is easy to say what could have or should have been done instead, but Aronson does a good job of trying to stay level with what and why the pretenders acted as they did.

This is not Aronson at his best. There is quite a bit more misogyny and judgement in this writing. I can't decide if he just wasn't as interested or if he just really disliked everyone involved.

[Dropbear123 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was actually decent and at times snarky in a good way. But I didn’t enjoy the book. Most of it was just drama between different members of the Stuarts and their wives which I am not interested in. I suppose that comes with the topic being about a dynasty that isn’t in power. The only part I really liked was about the 1745 Jacobite rebellion. I feel like I haven’t really gotten much out of this that I’ll remember. Personally I wouldn’t recommend it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly engaging history of James II's downfall and the pretenders who followed. I didn't know much about their lives other than the failed uprising by Bonnie Prince Charlie. There was much more to learn

[Rboylan]

An easy and fun read, marred by numerous obvious typographic errors (James III becomes James HI!?) that appear to be the result of an uncorrected OCR scan.

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never got to grips with the Stuarts and Jacobites at school as I found it too confusing. This book was obviously well researched, covered the whole period chronologically, and described the characters so well they all fell into place. I knew nothing of Bonnie Prince Charlie except that he sailed to Skye with Flora McDonald. Despite living most of his life in comfort, finaced by European royalty, nothing seemed to go right for him and he turned out to be one of life lifes tragedies.
Well done Mr Aronson, it was certainly a Goodread.

[Gordon Kwok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the Stuart family and their overthrow and subsequent years as pretenders to the throne. I thought I was fairly well informed on British history but this book taught me a lot of new things. Highly recommended and Mr. Aronson delivers a great book as usual.

[Carolyn Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book

It was a good read. I didn't think Theo Aronson would end the book with the descendants of the House of Stuart. This book did them justice. It didn't present them so much as a failure but made you see the good in them and what a good monarch they'd become had they've been given a chance, mainly James III. I enjoyed this book.

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading for those interested in the history of the Stuart kings and pretenders.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Those watching or reading Outlander will find it even more interesting.

[Raymond Hardie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid sweeping summary.

Page turning, well researched history. It was fascinating to trace the Pretenders up to the present day. It is a good read.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the romanticism and tragedy of this book

TA brings history forward.....Well written. Unique perspective of the changing times from the revolutionary uprisings consistent within the monarchies of Europe