Bonnie Prince Charlie was forced to retreat from Derby - On this day in history

Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) was forced to withdraw from Derby on 6 December, 1745, just two days after taking the town. The prince had reached Derby after successfully taking Carlisle and had been anticipating French and Spanish forces to invade England in support of his cause.

 

When this support failed to materialise and fears of an attack from a large government force grew, the prince was advised to leave Derby and return north to Scotland. The reports of government forces had been false but Bonnie Prince Charlie continued north, allowing the government forces time to mass and plan a march on Scotland, with the two forces meeting at the Battle of Culloden on 16 April 1746.