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The Jacobite weapons used in the uprisings are fascinating to learn about.
When James II made public his association with the Catholic Church, he was removed from the throne. The revolutionary Jacobite risings that followed put their stamp on Scottish history.
Some of this history can be seen in modern tv series, such as Outlander. This show has sparked renewed interest in this period of Scottish history.
The weapons used by the Jacobite army were pivotal in the uprisings. In this article, we look at the most well-known of these Jacobite weapons.
Jacobite Weapons Guide
Four main weapons have been identified as Jacobite weapons, although these were not crafted exclusively for the battles in the uprising.
These were already a part of Scottish Highland and military culture. However, could be seen at every Jacobite rising.
The Dirk
Jacobite Weapons: What Weapons Did The Army Use?
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The traditional Scottish weapon known as a dirk is a long-bladed thrusting dagger. It acquired its name from the Gaelic word ‘Dearg’. The Highland dirk developed unrelated to the naval weapon with the same name.
The Scottish dirk, or the Highland dirk, became one of the most common Scottish traditional weapons during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was used for everything from hunting to preparing meals and was an important part of everyday life for Scottish Highlanders. This was common in medieval society.
The Scottish dirk became much more than a weapon, or a tool. It came to symbolise a Highlander’s honour. Oaths were sworn on these blades, and virtually every Highland man carried his dirk with him, everywhere.
This 18-inch blade was also a powerful weapon. It was of great use for hand-to-hand combat. No wonder then, that the Jacobites were known to use this dagger in their battles. It was perfectly designed to fit into the palm and was used in combination with a shield, called a Targe.
The Targe
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This shield was used in Scotland from the 13th to the 16th century. It protected the Jacobites during battle. Highlanders would hold it in one hand to block attacks from opponents. At the same time, they would attack with a sword held in the other hand.
The targe perfectly hid the Jacobite’s lethal stabbing dagger, the dirk, from view. This gave the Jacobite warrior an advantage over his opponent. The targe was also used in unison with another great Jacobite weapon, the Claymore broad sword.
The targe could conceal a dirk held in the same hand, even whilst the Jacobite was wielding a sword with their free hand. This had an advantage for close-quarter fighting.
The Claymore
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The claymore was named after the Gaelic word for ‘great sword’. It was an impressive, large, cross-hilted broadsword.
This unusually long and heavy sword required two hands to wield. Used by Scottish clans from the 1400s to 1700s, it required brute strength to use in battle.
These weighed about 2.5 lbs more than and stretched 5.5 ft more than the average sword. However, these were popular amongst Highlanders.
Although the claymore was by no means the easiest or most stealthy of weapons, it must have been very intimidating to the Jacobites’ opponents on the battlefield.
The Basket-Hilted Broadsword
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Jacobites used basket-hilted broadswords when fighting against the British troops. Legend tells us that they waged war with these swords against troops armed with musket guns.
The basket-hilted sword, like the claymore and the dirk, was used in combination with the targe.
While not as intimidating as the claymore on the battlefield, the basket-hilted sword had its advantages.
It was certainly easier to wield in battle than the claymore, as it was far lighter. Another benefit of the basket-hilted broadsword was that the basket shape protected the warrior's hand.
Interesting Weapons Used By The Jacobites
Bonnie Prince Charlie was a key player in the Jacobite uprisings. The Jacobite troops gave Bonnie Prince Charlie his own targe before the Battle of Culloden.
However, it was abandoned when he fled the field after their defeat.
A sword with support for King James inscribed on the sword blade can be seen at the National Museum Of Scotland. This dedication to James II is not unusual, as inscriptions to rulers on weapons were a popular practice.
Who Were The Jacobite Army And What Were They Fighting For?
The Jacobites were a movement that fought to reinstate the Stuarts, represented by Jacobite King James II, as the reigning monarchs over Great Britain, including Scotland.
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They were sparked into action largely by the efforts of the man known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. He was the future heir to the throne and the grandson of the deposed King James.
New Research On The Battle Of Culloden
Traditional tales of the claymore-wielding Jacobites being ‘outgunned’ by government troops at the Battle of Culloden are now given a new slant.
This is thanks to new research. One academic at Glasgow University, Murray Pittock, has made some interesting discoveries.
Pittock claims that the Jacobite Army was defeated by government troops with swords, and not with muskets and cannon fire as many believe. He states that it was more a case of being outnumbered.
Whether you prefer to believe in the legends or not, one thing is clear. The brute strength and sheer determination that powered the Jacobites to hold those heavy swords aloft are impressive. You might be interested in how many Jacobites survived the Battle of Culloden.
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Final Thoughts
If you were interested in the Jacobite weapons - we hope you’ve learned something interesting!
Modern weapons are crafted for stealth and power. However, ancient weapons tell a different tale. They tell us more about the warriors who used them than the battles themselves.
It is the fighting spirit of these brave men, and not their weapons, that makes the biggest impression. While they counted on their weapons to wage each battle, the Jacobites hoped that their belief and dedication to their cause would ultimately win the war.
