Who were the Jacobites?

Jacobites hiding

In English history, the Jacobites were adherents of the Stuart family, more particularly followers of James II. The name is from Jacobus, Latin for James. At the time of the English revolution in 1688 the Catholics, save those influenced by political expectations, adhered to the cause of James II. In Ireland they were defeated decisively at the Battle of the Boyne, July 1, 1690. The French court was their rallying center. The Highland Jacobites rose twice, first in 1715 and again in 1745. The Jac¬obites faded away gradually. In the reign of George III they became ardent sup-porters of the royal authority, and contributed not a little to that monarch's obstinacy in dealing with his American colonies. Scottish Jacobite songs form a part of the national literature.