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119-578: In the aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745 it was recognised that there was a need for an accurate map of the Scottish Highlands and the necessary survey was initiated in 1747 by Lieutenant-Colonel David Watson, a Deputy Quartermaster-General of the Board of Ordnance . Watson employed William Roy as a civilian assistant to carry out the bulk of the work. Subsequently, Roy, having enlisted in

238-616: A Papal pension, making him even less attractive to the Protestants who formed the vast majority of his British support. Jacobite rebellions in 1715 and 1719 both failed, the latter so badly its planners concluded that it might "ruin the King's Interest and faithful subjects in these parts". Senior exiles like Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke accepted pardons and returned home or took employment elsewhere. The birth of his sons Charles and Henry helped maintain public interest in

357-407: A 100 ft steel chain from Ramsden which could be used for a quick preliminary measurement. The deal rods proved ineffective because of their changes with humidity and they were replaced with glass rods for the final measurement; however Roy observed that the chain itself was just as accurate as the rods. For this reason the 1791 survey started by remeasuring the base with two new 100 ft chains,

476-459: A brief to extend Roy's survey. In the following month Richmond appointed William Mudge and Edward Williams, the latter as the first superintendent of the survey. For the 1784 measurement of the original baseline across Hounslow Heath, Roy had ordered three deal rods cut from a new mast in the Admiralty dock yards. These were intended to be used for the precision measurement but Roy also ordered

595-428: A continuous floristic variation is seen. A widespread type on the plain is characterised by an abundance of red fescue ( Festuca rubra ), crested hair-grass ( Koeleria macrantha ), salad burnet ( Sanguisorba minor ), lady's bedstraw ( Galium verum ), rough hawkbit ( Leontodon hispidus ), common rock-rose ( Helianthemum nummularium ) and dropwort ( Filipendula vulgaris ). The high constancy of this last species

714-451: A diverse bryophyte flora with seven nationally scarce species which have seen a general decline in other chalk grassland sites, including Barbula acuta , Phascum curvicolle , Pleurochaete squarrosa , Thuidium abietinum and Weissia sterilis . Although there is some scrub development on the plain, it is remarkable that large expanses of the chalk grassland remain open with very little invasion of woody species. Of particular interest are

833-460: A grain-producing imperial estate . In the 6th century, Anglo-Saxon incomers built planned settlements in the valleys surrounded by strip lynchets , with the downland left as sheep pasture. To the south is the city of Salisbury , whose medieval cathedral is famous for having the tallest spire in the country, and the building was, for many centuries, the tallest building in Britain. The cathedral

952-437: A length of more than seven miles). The result verified not only the accuracy of the triangulation, but also the measurement of the original baseline on Hounslow Heath. After remeasurement in 1849 the "Salisbury Base" (rather than the original base on Hounslow Heath) provided the baseline for subsequent triangulation. During subsequent triangulation, errors due to atmospheric refraction, deflection of plumb-bobs , temperature, and

1071-551: A liability which involved them in expensive Continental wars of minimal benefit to Britain. These sentiments were particularly strong in the City of London , although diplomats observed opposition to foreign entanglements was true "only so long as English commerce does not suffer." However, even this group was far more concerned to ensure the primacy of the Church of England , which meant defending it from Charles and his Catholic advisors,

1190-600: A lichen-rich turf ( Cladonia species) and the broom moss ( Dicranum scoparium ) is found in some stabilised missile-impaction craters on the central ranges. This vegetation type is found elsewhere only on Porton Down SSSI and on the Brecklands. Small areas of chalk-heath vegetation occur on superficial clay-with-flints deposits. Here chalk-loving plants such as salad burnet ( Sanguisorba minor ) and dropwort co-exist with plants typical of acid soils, including gorse ( Ulex europaeus ), heather ( Calluna vulgaris ) and

1309-586: A more conventional form of warfare, for which they were arguably less well suited. Many troops were occupied suppressing a counterinsurgency in the Highlands, led by clansmen loyal to the government under John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun . At the same time, much of their resources were focused on besieging Stirling Castle , one of the most powerful forts in Scotland. On 17 January, the Jacobites dispersed

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1428-476: A point near Old Sarum Castle ( 51°05′44″N 1°47′54″W  /  51.0955°N 1.7984°W  / 51.0955; -1.7984 ) and Beacon Hill, near Bulford ( 51°11′01″N 1°43′20″W  /  51.1835°N 1.7221°W  / 51.1835; -1.7221 ), in June 1794. The difference between the distance calculated by triangulation and that established by measurement was less than one inch (over

1547-586: A relief force under Henry Hawley at the Battle of Falkirk Muir , but insufficient heavy artillery meant the siege itself made little progress. Hawley's forces were largely intact, and resumed their advance once Cumberland arrived in Edinburgh on 30 January, while many Highlanders had gone home after Falkirk; on 1 February, the Jacobite army abandoned the siege, and retreated to Inverness. Cumberland marched up

1666-597: A route via Carlisle and the North-West of England, areas strongly Jacobite in 1715. The last elements of the Jacobite army left Edinburgh on 4 November and government forces under General Handasyde retook the city on 14th. Murray divided the army into two columns to conceal their destination from General George Wade , government commander in Newcastle , and entered England on 8 November unopposed. On 10th, they reached Carlisle , an important border fortress before

1785-468: A set-piece battle extremely hazardous. In a letter of 30 November, the Duke of Richmond , who was with Cumberland's army, listed five possible options for the Jacobites, of which retreating to Scotland was by far the best for them, and the worst for the government. The British government was concerned by reports of an invasion fleet being prepared at Dunkirk but it is unclear how serious these plans were. Over

1904-643: A significant element in Scotland; many of those who participated in the Rising came from Non-Jurist Scottish Episcopal Church congregations. However, the most powerful single driver for Scottish support in 1745 was opposition to the 1707 Union , whose loss of political control was not matched by perceived economic benefit. This was particularly marked in Edinburgh, former location of the Scottish Parliament, and among Highland chiefs, many of whom were heavily in debt. In summary, Charles wanted to reclaim

2023-534: A simultaneous French landing in Southern England. On that basis, the Jacobite army entered England in early November, but neither of these assurances proved accurate. On reaching Derby on 4 December, they halted to discuss future strategy. Similar discussions had taken place at Carlisle , Preston and Manchester and many felt they had gone too far already. The invasion route had been selected to cross areas considered strongly Jacobite in sympathy, but

2142-478: A site of international importance for birds. In addition to chalk downland, the plain supports scrub and woodland habitats, temporary and permanent pools and the River Bourne . A diversity of soil types, slope, aspect and past and present land-use has given rise to various grassland communities. Historical evidence suggests that large areas of grassland are of great antiquity, and areas which were cultivated at

2261-520: Is a chalk plateau in southern England covering 300 square miles (780 km ). It is part of a system of chalk downlands throughout eastern and southern England formed by the rocks of the Chalk Group and largely lies within the county of Wiltshire , but stretches into Hampshire . The plain is famous for its rich archaeology , including Stonehenge , one of England's best known landmarks. Large areas are given over to military training; thus,

2380-493: Is a community in which dwarf sedge Carex humilis forms a conspicuous component. This type of grassland has its stronghold in Wiltshire and occurs on the less disturbed areas of the central ranges. Herb diversity is generally lower in the tall, upright brome-dominated swards, but wild parsnip ( Pastinaca sativa ), hogweed ( Heracleum sphondylium ) and greater knapweed ( Centaurea scabiosa ) are characteristic. Parasitic on

2499-719: Is a distinctive feature of the upright brome grasslands on Salisbury Plain and is otherwise only known from one other site in Hampshire. Where upright brome is less dominating, plants such as small scabiosa ( Scabiosa columbaria ), clustered bellflower ( Campanula glomerata ), dyer's greenweed ( Genista tinctoria ), kidney vetch ( Anthyllis vulneraria ), sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia ) and horseshoe vetch ( Hippocrepis comosa ) are characteristic associates. The rare and notable plants which occur here include burnt-tip orchid ( Neotinea ustulata ), slender bedstraw ( Galium pumilum ), field fleawort ( Senecio integrifolius ) and

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2618-425: Is abundant together with sheep's fescue ( Festuca ovina ) and wild thyme . Annuals are also characteristic of this habitat, including common whitlowgrass ( Erophila verna ), rue-leaved saxifrage ( Saxifraga tridactylites ,) hairy rock-cress ( Arabis hirsuta ) and the nationally scarce dwarf mouse-ear ( Cerastium pumilum ) and fine-leaved sandwort ( Minuartia hybrida ). A very local community characterised by

2737-470: Is evidence of the prosperity the wool and cloth trade brought to the area. In the mid-19th century the wool and cloth industry began to decline, leading to a decline in the population and change in land use from sheep farming to agriculture and military use. Wiltshire became one of the poorest counties in England during this period of decline. There are a number of chalk carvings on the plain, of which

2856-424: Is exceptionally diverse for a British dry grassland site. In winter the plain is an important area for foraging flocks of thrushes, finches and buntings. These, together with abundant small mammals are prey for wintering hen harrier , merlin and short-eared owl . Hen harriers occur in nationally significant numbers each winter, and the plain is an important winter roost for this species in southern England. In 2003

2975-589: Is mainly the clays and limestones of the Blackmore Vale , Avon Vale and Vale of Wardour . The Mendip Hills rise to the west of Salisbury Plain, and the Cotswolds to the north west. Amesbury is considered the largest settlement on the plain (southern fringes), though there are a number of small villages, such as Tilshead , Chitterne and Shrewton in the middle of the plain, as well as various hamlets and army camps. The A303 road runs through

3094-615: Is present on East Salisbury Plain at one of its two Wiltshire localities. Strong populations of other downland species such as chalkhill blue ( Polyommatus coridon ) and dark green fritillary ( Argynnis aglaja ) are found, and of note here is the occurrence of grayling ( Hipparchia semele ), a butterfly rarely found away from the coast. An outstanding assemblage of two rare (RDB), 36 nationally scarce and two regionally notable moths are present, most of which are either chalk grassland specialists or are partly dependent on chalk grassland. The RDB species scarce forester ( Adscita globulariae )

3213-422: Is present, and amongst many species of nationally scarce moths are the cistus forester ( Adscita geryon ), six-belted clearwing ( Bembecia scopigera ), oblique striped ( Phibalapteryx virgata ), pimpernel pug ( Eupithecia pimpinellata ), shaded pug ( Eupithecia subumbrata ) and narrow-bordered bee hawk moth ( Hemaris tityus ). Larvae of these moths feed on the chalk grassland plants which are widespread on

3332-571: Is some difference of opinion as to its exact area. The river valleys surrounding it, and other downs and plains beyond them loosely define its boundaries. To the north the scarp of the downs overlooks the Vale of Pewsey , and to the northwest the Bristol Avon . The River Wylye runs along the southwest, and the Bourne runs to the east. The Hampshire Avon runs through the eastern half of

3451-659: The Royal Observatory, Greenwich and the Paris Observatory were incorrect, and it was proposed (to the Royal Society ) that the differences could be reconciled by high precision triangulation over the intervening terrain. The Royal Society agreed and, jointly with the Board of Ordnance, they invited Roy to oversee the project. (Main article; Anglo-French Survey (1784–1790) .) Roy's first task (1784)

3570-616: The 1715 Rising . At previous Council meetings, many Scottish members argued for withdrawal. They agreed to continue only after Charles assured them Sir Watkin Williams Wynn would meet them at Derby , while the Duke of Beaufort was preparing to seize Bristol . When they reached Derby on 4 December, there was no sign of any reinforcements or French landing, and the Council convened at Exeter House on 5th to discuss next steps. Despite

3689-483: The Court of Exchequer , of which 41 were confiscated. As happened previously, most were either purchased or claimed by creditors, with 13 made crown land in 1755. Under the 1784 Disannexing Act, their heirs were allowed to buy them back, in return for a total payment of £65,000. Once north of Edinburgh or inland from ports like Aberdeen, the movement of government troops was hampered by lack of roads or accurate maps of

Principal Triangulation of Great Britain - Misplaced Pages Continue

3808-689: The Non-Juring Anglican Communion . In 1759, he met to discuss another invasion with Choiseul , then Chief minister of France , but the latter dismissed him as incapable through drink. Despite Charles's urgings, Pope Clement XIII refused to recognise him as Charles III after their father died in 1766. He died of a stroke in Rome in January 1788, a disappointed and embittered man. Salisbury Plain Salisbury Plain

3927-646: The Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets), Heteroptera (bugs) and Coleoptera (beetles), the latter group including a RDB soldier beetle , Cantharis fusca . The area as a whole is of national and international importance for breeding and wintering birds. It supports seven species listed on Annex 1 of the EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, populations of six species of Red Data bird and several species of candidate Red Data bird. Amongst

4046-546: The Outer Hebrides on 15 July but were intercepted four days out by HMS Lion , which engaged Elizabeth. After a four-hour battle, both were forced to return to port; losing the Elizabeth and its volunteers and weapons was a major setback, but Du Teillay landed Charles at Eriskay on 23 July. Many of those contacted advised him to return to France, including MacDonald of Sleat and Norman MacLeod . Aware of

4165-516: The causewayed enclosure of Robin Hood's Ball . Large long barrows such as White Barrow and other earthworks were built across the plain. By 2500 BC areas around Durrington Walls and Stonehenge had become a focus for building, and the southern part of the plain continued to be settled into the Bronze Age . Around 600 BC, Iron Age hillforts came to be constructed around the boundaries of

4284-411: The cuckoo bee Nomada armata . This is a rare inland site for the nationally scarce brown-banded carder bee ( Bombus humilis ), and the only lowland English site for the broken-belted bumblebee ( Bombus soroeensis ). The Diptera (flies) include four RDB species which depend on chalk grassland, the picture-wing flies Chaetorellia loricata , Urophora solstitialis and Terellia vectensis and

4403-652: The great bustard was reintroduced into Britain on Salisbury Plain. Other species of interest on Salisbury Plain include the great crested newt ( Triturus cristatus ). This newt occurs in dew ponds across the plain and in pools along the Bourne River, together with smooth newt ( Triturus vulgaris ), common frog ( Rana temporia ) and common toad ( Bufo bufo ). Barred grass snake ( Natrix helvetica ) are also often seen near pools, and common lizard ( Lacerta vivipara ), slowworm ( Anguis fragilis ) and adder ( Vipera berus ) are present. The folk song Roud 1487

4522-511: The hover fly Volucella inflata . Recent observations have shown that Salisbury Plain is an important site for the RDB crustacean, the fairy shrimp Chirocephalus diaphanus which is dependent on temporary pools, a rare and declining habitat. On the plain this habitat requirement is met by numerous pools created by repeated tank movements along the earth tracks which cross the chalk grassland. Other nationally scarce invertebrates occur within

4641-570: The 16-gun privateer Du Teillay and Elizabeth, an elderly 64-gun warship captured from the British in 1704, which carried the weapons and 100 volunteers from the French Army's Irish Brigade . In early July, Charles boarded Du Teillay at Saint-Nazaire accompanied by the " Seven Men of Moidart ," the most notable being Colonel John O'Sullivan , an Irish exile and former French officer who acted as chief of staff. The two vessels left for

4760-614: The 1689 to 1691 Williamite War in Ireland , and only a Stuart on the throne of Great Britain could ensure their fulfillment. Such concessions were firmly opposed by Protestants who were the overwhelming majority in England, Wales and Scotland, while estimates of English support in particular confused indifference to the Hanoverians with enthusiasm for the Stuarts. After 1720, Robert Walpole tried to bind English Catholics closer to

4879-432: The 1707 Union but whose defences were now in poor condition, held by a garrison of 80 elderly veterans. However, without siege artillery the Jacobites would still have to starve it into submission, an operation for which they had neither the equipment nor time. Despite this, the castle capitulated on 15 November, after learning Wade's relief force was delayed by snow. Success reinvigorated the Jacobite cause, and when he retook

Principal Triangulation of Great Britain - Misplaced Pages Continue

4998-419: The 1715 and 1719 risings. O'Sullivan initially organised the Jacobite army along conventional military lines, but when Murray took over as chief of staff, he reverted to traditional Highland military structures and customs familiar to the majority of his recruits. The senior government legal officer in Scotland, Lord President Duncan Forbes , forwarded confirmation of the landing to London on 9 August. Many of

5117-578: The 1739 War of Jenkins' Ear , followed in 1740–41 by the War of the Austrian Succession . The long-serving British prime minister Robert Walpole was forced to resign in February 1742 by an alliance of Tories and anti-Walpole Patriot Whigs , who then excluded their partners from government. Furious Tories like Henry Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort asked for French help in restoring James to

5236-619: The 3,000 soldiers available to John Cope , the government commander in Scotland, were untrained recruits, and while he lacked information on Jacobite intentions, they were well-informed on his, as Murray had been one of his advisors. Forbes instead relied on his relationships to keep people loyal; he failed with Lochiel and Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat but succeeded with many others, including William Sutherland, Earl of Sutherland , Clan Munro and Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose . On 17 September, Charles entered Edinburgh unopposed, although Edinburgh Castle itself remained in government hands; James

5355-474: The British naval blockade had reduced the French economy to a "catastrophic state." The fast-moving Jacobite army evaded pursuit with only a minor skirmish at Clifton Moor , crossing back into Scotland on 20 December. Cumberland's army arrived outside Carlisle on 22 December, and seven days later the garrison was forced to surrender, ending the Jacobite military presence in England. Much of the garrison came from

5474-510: The British throne. While war with Britain was clearly only a matter of time, Cardinal Fleury , chief minister since 1723, viewed the Jacobites as unreliable fantasists, an opinion shared by most French ministers. An exception was René Louis de Voyer de Paulmy d'Argenson , who was appointed Foreign Minister by Louis XV after Fleury died in January 1743. Historian Frank McLynn identifies seven different ideological drivers behind continuing support for Jacobitism in 1745, Stuart loyalism being

5593-516: The Cameron regiment in 1745, was allegedly betrayed by his own clansmen on returning to Scotland and executed on 7 June 1753. The government limited confiscations of Jacobite property, since the experience of doing so after 1715 and 1719 showed the cost often exceeded the sales price. Under the Vesting Act 1747 , the estates of 51 individuals attainted for their role in 1745 were surveyed by

5712-511: The Highlands. To remedy this, new forts were built, the military road network started by Wade finally completed and William Roy made the first comprehensive survey of the Highlands. Additional measures were taken to weaken the traditional clan system, which even before 1745 had been under severe stress due to changing economic conditions. The most significant was the Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746 , which ended

5831-526: The Irish Brigade who served as head of the Jacobite artillery, was absent, having been wounded at the Siege of Fort William . Charles held his position, expecting Cumberland to attack, but he refused to do so and unable to respond to the fire, Charles ordered his front line to charge. As they did so, boggy ground in front of the Jacobite centre forced them over to the right, where they became entangled with

5950-703: The London government led to the 1725 malt tax and 1737 Porteous riots . In March 1743, the Highland-recruited 42nd Regiment of Foot was posted to Flanders , contrary to an understanding their service was restricted to Scotland, causing a short-lived mutiny. However, mutinies over pay and conditions were not unusual and the worst riots in 1725 took place in Glasgow , a town Charles noted in 1746 as one "where I have no friends and who are not at pains to hide it." Trade disputes between Spain and Britain led to

6069-524: The Manchester Regiment and several of the officers were later executed, including Francis Towneley. The invasion itself had little strategic effect, but reaching Derby and returning was a considerable military achievement. Morale was high, while reinforcements from Aberdeenshire and Banffshire under Lewis Gordon along with Scottish and Irish regulars in French service brought Jacobite strength to over 8,000. The Jacobite army now shifted to

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6188-649: The Manchester Regiment. Some 650 died awaiting trial, 900 were pardoned and the rest transported to the colonies. The Jacobite lords Kilmarnock , Balmerino and Lovat were beheaded in April 1747, but public opinion was against further trials and the remaining prisoners were pardoned under the Act of Indemnity 1747. They included Flora MacDonald , whose aristocratic admirers collected over £1,500 for her. Lord Elcho , Lord Murray and Lochiel were excluded from this and died in exile; Archibald Cameron , responsible for recruiting

6307-627: The Prince brought a French army"; in the end, he spent the Rebellion in London, with participation by the Welsh gentry limited to two lawyers, David Morgan and William Vaughan. After the Jacobite rising of 1719 , new laws imposed penalties on Non-Jurists , those who refused to swear allegiance to the Hanoverian regime. By 1745, Non-Jurists had largely disappeared in England, but continued to be

6426-704: The Scots Presbyterians who formed the bulk of his army, or Nonconformists in general; many "Jacobite" demonstrations in Wales stemmed from hostility to the 18th century Welsh Methodist revival . The most prominent Welsh Jacobite was Denbighshire landowner and Tory Member of Parliament, Watkin Williams-Wynn , head of the Jacobite White Rose society. He met with Stuart agents several times between 1740 and 1744 and promised support "if

6545-650: The Scots no longer trusted his promises of support. After Culloden, government forces spent several weeks searching for rebels, confiscating cattle and burning non-juring Episcopalian and Catholic meeting houses. The brutality of these measures was partly driven by a widespread perception on both sides that another landing was imminent. Regular soldiers in French service were treated as prisoners of war and exchanged regardless of nationality, but 3,500 captured Jacobites were indicted for treason. Of these, 120 were executed, primarily deserters from government forces and members of

6664-486: The Scots was irretrievably damaged. The Council voted overwhelmingly to retreat, especially after learning from Lord Drummond that French ships had landed men, supplies and money at Montrose, Angus . They included small detachments of regulars from the " Royal Écossais " and the Irish Brigade . While less than 200 in total, Drummond allegedly claimed another 10,000 were preparing to follow, "greatly influencing"

6783-485: The Stuarts were unlikely to be any more pro-French than the Hanoverians. The remote and undeveloped Scottish Highlands were an ideal location for launching such an attempt, while the feudal nature of clan society made it relatively easy to raise troops. However, even Jacobite sympathisers were reluctant to support an uprising they recognised could be devastating for the local populace. Opposition to taxes levied by

6902-489: The Stuarts, but by 1737, James was "living tranquilly in Rome, having abandoned all hope of a restoration." At the same time, by the late 1730s French statesmen had come to see British commercial strength as a threat to the European balance of power, and the exiled Stuarts a potential option for weakening it. However, financing a low-level insurgency was far more cost-effective than an expensive restoration, especially since

7021-525: The Union, Catholicism and "arbitrary" rule. At the same time, Jacobite exiles failed to appreciate the extent to which English Tory support derived from policy differences with the Whigs, not Stuart loyalism. Under the 1743 Pacte de Famille , Louis XV and his uncle, Philip V of Spain , agreed to co-operate against Britain, including an invasion to restore the Stuarts. In November 1743, Louis advised James this

7140-468: The angle data was used to calculate the sides of the triangles by using spherical trigonometry . The final results were inconclusive, for triangulation was inferior to the precision of astronomical measurements, but the survey paved the way for all future work in terms of high precision measurements of length and angle, together with the techniques of calculating on an ellipsoidal surface. In his final report, published posthumously, Roy once again pressed for

7259-504: The army and having become a very competent surveyor, proposed (1763) a national survey which would be a plan for defence at a time when French invasions were threatened. The proposal was rejected on grounds of expense. Roy continued to lobby for a survey and his ambitions were realised to a certain extent by an unexpected development. In 1783 the French Academy of Sciences claimed that the latitude and longitude differences between

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7378-496: The battlefield were reportedly killed afterwards, their losses being 1,200 to 1,500 dead and 500 prisoners. Several thousand armed Jacobites remained at large, and over the next two days, an estimated 1,500 assembled at Ruthven Barracks . On 20 April, Charles ordered them to disperse, arguing French assistance was required to continue the fight and they should return home until he returned with additional support. Lord Elcho later claimed to have told Charles he should "put himself at

7497-424: The beginning of the 20th century have experienced nearly 100 years of chalk grassland re-colonisation. Parts of East Salisbury Plain and the periphery of Central and West comprise areas of grassland currently managed for grazing pasture and hay-cutting, whilst the middle of Centre and West are ungrazed. A large proportion of Salisbury Plain supports upright brome ( Bromus erectus ) species-rich grassland, within which

7616-584: The breeding birds three species are particularly noteworthy. Up to 20 pairs of stone-curlew representing 12% of the British population breed on the plain. The area accounts for approximately 20% of breeding records for quail in Britain each year, and numbers of breeding hobby are thought to exceed 1% of the British population on a regular basis. Other important breeding species include common buzzard , barn owl , long-eared owl , nightingale , stonechat , whinchat , wheatear , corn bunting and, on occasion, Montagu's harrier . The overall breeding assemblage

7735-529: The casualties. In March, Louis cancelled the invasion and declared war on Britain. In 1738, John Gordon of Glenbucket had proposed a landing in Scotland, which had been rejected by the French, and James himself. Seeking to revive this plan, in August Charles travelled to Paris where he met Sir John Murray of Broughton , liaison between the Stuarts and their supporters in Scotland. Murray subsequently claimed to have advised against it, but that Charles

7854-724: The closest natural heir. Since the Act of Settlement 1701 excluded Catholics from the succession, when Anne became queen in 1702, her heir was the distantly related but Protestant Electress Sophia of Hanover . Sophia died in June 1714, two months before Anne, and her son succeeded as George I in August. Louis XIV of France , the primary source of support for the exiled Stuarts, died in 1715 and his successors needed peace with Britain in order to rebuild their economy. The 1716 Anglo-French alliance forced James to leave France; he settled in Rome on

7973-435: The coast, allowing his forces to be resupplied by sea, and entered Aberdeen on 27 February; both sides halted operations until the weather improved. When Cumberland left Aberdeen on 8 April, the Jacobites were short of food and money, and the leadership agreed giving battle was their best option. Arguments over the suitability of the ground at Culloden stem from post-war disputes between supporters of Murray and O'Sullivan, who

8092-408: The decision. While the decision has been debated ever since, contemporaries did not believe the Hanoverian regime would collapse, even had the Jacobites reached London. It was driven by lack of external support, not proximity to the capital, and its wisdom is supported by many modern historians. Lack of heavy weapons or equipment allowed the small Jacobite army to out-march their opponents, but made

8211-531: The decline in English Jacobitism was demonstrated by the lack of support from areas strongly Jacobite in 1715, such as Northumberland and County Durham . Irish Jacobite societies increasingly reflected opposition to the existing order rather than affection for the Stuarts and were eventually absorbed by the Society of United Irishmen . In June 1747, D'Éguilles produced a report on the Rising that

8330-412: The ends aligned to an accuracy of a thousandth part of an inch. The first rod was then carried to the end of the third, an operation to be repeated 1,370 times. The final measurement gave the length of the base as 27,404.01 ft. (8,352 metres). For the subsequent triangulation Roy ordered a new theodolite from leading instrument-maker Jesse Ramsden . This Ramsden theodolite , delivered in 1787, for

8449-419: The extension of the survey to the rest of Britain. His successors would oblige. As Master of the Board of Ordnance (from 1782), Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond, viewed Roy's work with great interest, At the same time he was acutely aware that Britain, lacking a national survey, was falling behind the standards of many other European countries. Moreover, the renewed threat of French invasion made him alarmed at

8568-421: The feudal power of chiefs over their clansmen. The Act of Proscription 1746 outlawed Highland dress unless worn in military service, although its impact is debated and the law was repealed in 1782. The Jacobite cause did not entirely disappear after 1746, but the conflicting objectives of its participants ended the movement as a serious political threat. Many Scots were disillusioned by Charles' leadership while

8687-792: The first dissolved the "pretended Union," the second rejected the Act of Settlement. He also instructed the Caledonian Mercury to publish minutes of the 1695 Parliamentary enquiry into the Glencoe Massacre , often used as an example of post-1688 oppression. Jacobite morale was further boosted in mid-October when the French landed supplies of money and weapons, together with an envoy, the Marquis d'Éguilles , which seemed to validate claims of French backing. However, David Wemyss, Lord Elcho later claimed his fellow Scots were already concerned by Charles' autocratic style and fears he

8806-467: The first time divided angular scales accurately to within a second of arc . The theodolite was the largest ever constructed but, despite its massive size, it was carried from London to the Channel coast and employed on hills, steeples and a moveable tower. At each location the angles to other vertices of the triangulation mesh were measured many times, often at night time using newly devised lights. Finally

8925-567: The full value of his estate should the rising prove abortive," while MacLeod and Sleat helped him escape after Culloden. On 19 August, the rebellion was launched with the raising of the Royal Standard at Glenfinnan , witnessed by what O'Sullivan estimated as around 700 Highlanders. This small Jacobite force used the new government-built roads to reach Perth on 4 September, where they were joined by more sympathisers. They included Lord George Murray , previously pardoned for participation in

9044-582: The head of the [...] men that remained to him, and live and die with them," but he was determined to leave for France. After evading capture in the Western Highlands, Charles was picked up by a French ship commanded by Richard Warren on 20 September; he never returned to Scotland but the collapse of his relationship with the Scots always made this unlikely. Even before Derby, he had accused Murray and others of treachery; these outbursts became more frequent due to disappointment and heavy drinking, while

9163-461: The highlight of their careers. Charles was forcibly deported from France after the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle and rapidly descended into alcoholism , while Cumberland resigned from the British Army in 1757 and died of a stroke in 1765. Charles continued his attempts to reignite the cause, including making a secret visit to London in 1750, when he met supporters and briefly converted to

9282-458: The horizontal. Furthermore, the temperature varied from day to day and each measurement was corrected to the length that a chain would take at 62 °F. Finally, the length of the base was reduced to its projection at sea level using the height of the south base above the Thames and the fall in the Thames down to its estuary. The final result was approximately 3 inches less than that of Roy and

9401-507: The invasion force, but when Admiral Roquefeuil 's squadron left Brest on 26 January 1744, the Royal Navy refused to follow. French naval operations against Britain often took place in the winter, when poor weather made it harder to enforce a blockade. Unfortunately, this worked both ways, and as in 1719 , the invasion force was wrecked by storms. Several French ships were sunk and many others severely damaged, Roquefeuil himself being among

9520-535: The lack of accurate maps, particularly of the southern counties. The catalyst for action was the sudden availability of a new improved Ramsden theodolite which had been intended for the East India Company . The purchase of this instrument on 21 June 1791 by the Board is taken as the inauguration of the Ordnance Survey . The very next day Richmond appointed Isaac Dalby as its first employee, with

9639-509: The large area of habitat available to them is important in ensuring their survival. The plain is an important stronghold for declining downland butterflies. A high concentration of colonies of three nationally scarce species, the Adonis blue ( Polyommatus bellargus ), Duke of Burgundy ( Hamearis lucina ), and the largest population of marsh fritillary ( Euphydryas aurinia ) on the chalk, occur. A colony of brown hairstreak ( Thecla betulae )

9758-579: The large crowds that turned out to see them on the march south, only Manchester provided a significant number of recruits; Preston, a Jacobite stronghold in 1715, supplied three. Murray argued they had gone as far as possible and now risked being cut off by superior forces, with Cumberland advancing north from London, and Wade moving south from Newcastle. Charles admitted he had not heard from the English Jacobites since leaving France; this meant he lied when claiming otherwise and his relationship with

9877-539: The large stands of juniper ( Juniperus communis ) on Bulford Downs and Beacon Hill. Both pyramidal and prostrate forms are present and this site, along with Porton Down SSSI to the south, supports the best remaining examples of the lowland type of juniper associated with chalk and mixed scrub in England. The botanically and structurally diverse grasslands support a large range of rare and uncommon chalk downland invertebrates. Where abundance has been assessed strong populations of national and local importance are present, and

9996-535: The large training areas inaccessible to the public, the plain is a wildlife haven, and home to two national nature reserves , but there is concern that the low level of grazing on the plain could allow scrub to encroach on the grassland . The plain supports the largest known expanse of unimproved chalk downland in north west Europe, and represents 41% of Britain's remaining area of this wildlife habitat. The plain supports 13 species of nationally rare and scarce plants, 67 species of rare and scarce invertebrates and forms

10115-576: The last in a series of revolts that began in March 1689 , with major outbreaks in 1715 and 1719 . Charles launched the rebellion on 19 August 1745 at Glenfinnan in the Scottish Highlands , capturing Edinburgh and winning the Battle of Prestonpans in September. At a council in October, the Scots agreed to invade England after Charles assured them of substantial support from English Jacobites and

10234-483: The last pitched battle on British soil, lasted less than an hour and ended in a decisive government victory. Exhausted by a night march carried out in a failed attempt to surprise Cumberland's troops, many Jacobites missed the battle, leaving fewer than 5,000 to face a well-rested and equipped force of 7,000 to 9,000. Fighting began with an artillery exchange: that of the government was vastly superior in training and coordination, particularly as James Grant, an officer in

10353-451: The latter species is knapweed broomrape ( Orobanche elatior ), occurring in greater quantity on the plain than anywhere else in Britain. False-oat grass ( Arrhenatherum elatius ) grassland is also widespread, but is particularly a feature of the western ranges, often indicating areas of past cultivation. On anthills, and in the more disturbed turf that is especially a feature of the impact area, mouse-ear hawkweed ( Hieracium pilosella )

10472-515: The least important. These divisions became increasingly apparent during the Rising, exacerbated because Charles himself was largely ignorant of the kingdoms he hoped to regain. In addition, many of his senior advisors were Irish exiles, who wanted an autonomous, Catholic Ireland and the return of lands confiscated after the Irish Confederate Wars . His grandfather James II had promised these concessions in return for Irish support in

10591-496: The likely penalties for defeat, they felt that by arriving without French military support, Charles had failed to keep his commitments and were unconvinced by his personal qualities. Sleat and MacLeod may also have been especially vulnerable to government sanctions, due to their involvement in illegally selling tenants into indentured servitude . Enough were persuaded but the choice was rarely simple; Donald Cameron of Lochiel committed himself only after Charles provided "security for

10710-423: The mean value of 27,404.2 ft. was taken of the baseline. The difference of the two values meant that the accuracy of the measurement could be claimed to be 1 inch in 27,404 ft, which is 3 parts per million. As the survey proceeded westwards, Mudge decided to check its accuracy by measuring a new baseline between two points established by the triangulation. He chose Salisbury Plain , measuring between

10829-587: The most famous is the Westbury White Horse . The Kennet and Avon Canal was constructed to the north of the plain, through the Vale of Pewsey . In September 1896, George Kemp and Guglielmo Marconi experimented with wireless telegraphy on Salisbury Plain, and achieved good results over a distance of 1.25 miles (2.0 km). The British Army first conducted manoeuvres at what is now Salisbury Plain Training Area in 1898. Because of

10948-433: The nationally scarce bastard toadflax ( Thesium humifusum ) and purple milk-vetch ( Astragalus danicus ) in its most southerly British station. Devil's-bit scabious ( Succisa pratensis ), saw-wort ( Serratula tinctoria ) and betony ( Stachys officinalis ) are all abundant and exemplify the oceanic character of the chalk grassland on the plain, a feature which is confined to South West England . Similarly restricted

11067-400: The nationally scarce British endemic early gentian ( Gentianella anglica ). Particularly associated with long established turf on thin rendzina soils, and rabbit-grazed areas of the eastern and central ranges, are low-growing perennials including squinancy-wort ( Asperula cynanchica ), chalk milkwort ( Polygala calcarea ), dwarf thistle ( Cirsium acaule ), wild thyme ( Thymus praecox ),

11186-649: The plain, and to the south the plain peters out as the river valleys close together before meeting at Salisbury . From here the Avon continues south to the English Channel at Christchurch . The Hampshire Downs and the Berkshire Downs are chalk downland to the east and north of Salisbury Plain, and the Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase are to the southwest. In the west and north west the geology

11305-404: The plain, including Scratchbury Camp and Battlesbury Camp to the southwest, Bratton Camp to the northwest, Casterley Camp to the north, Yarnbury and Vespasian's Camp to the south, and Sidbury Hill to the east. Roman roads are visible features, probably serving a settlement near Old Sarum . Villas are sparse, however, and Anglo-Saxon place names suggest that the plain was mostly

11424-436: The plain. Other nationally scarce moths such as orange-tailed clearwing ( Synanthedon anthraciniformis ) depend on the associated scrub habitats. The bee fauna is particularly rich in species which depend on chalk grassland. One of only two British populations of the endangered (RDB) mining bee Melitta dimidiata is present on the plain, and two other RDB species which occur are Andrena hattorfiana and its nest parasite

11543-487: The pre-1707 Parliament of Scotland to help defend it against the "English armies" they expected to be sent against them. Charles argued an invasion of England was critical for attracting French support, and ensuring an independent Scotland by removing the Hanoverians. He was supported by the Irish exiles, for whom a Stuart on the British throne was the only way to achieve an autonomous, Catholic Ireland. Charles also claimed he

11662-433: The promised English support failed to materialise. With several government armies marching on their position, they were outnumbered and in danger of being cut off. The decision to retreat was supported by the vast majority, but caused an irretrievable split between Charles and his Scots supporters. Despite victory at Falkirk Muir in January 1746, defeat at Culloden in April ended the rebellion. Charles escaped to France, but

11781-513: The regime by refusing to enforce laws against them. Many became government supporters, including Edward Howard, Duke of Norfolk , unofficial head of the English Catholic community. Sentenced to death in 1716, he was reprieved and remained in London during the 1745 rebellion, visiting George II to confirm his loyalty. Most English Jacobite sympathisers were Tories who resented their exclusion from power since 1714, and viewed Hanover as

11900-603: The relationship between Charles and the Scots, both sides viewing the other with suspicion and hostility. Elcho later wrote that Murray believed they could have continued the war in Scotland "for several years", forcing the Crown to agree to terms as its troops were desperately needed for the war on the Continent. This seems unlikely since despite their victories in Flanders, in early 1746 Finance Minister Machault warned Louis that

12019-497: The right wing regiments and where movement was restricted by an enclosure wall. This increased the distance to the government lines and slowed the momentum of the charge, lengthening their exposure to the government artillery, which now switched to grapeshot . Despite heavy losses, the Highlanders crashed into Cumberland's left, which gave ground but did not break, while Loudon's Highlanders fired into their flank from behind

12138-448: The second to be kept unused as a reference against which any stretching of the first would be detected. The process of measurement was exceedingly precise. Since the ground was undulating along the length of the base, the measurement was carried out over 26 stages with varying slopes, the chains for any one stage being constrained to a perfectly straight line by many intermediate supports. These hypotenuse measurements were then projected to

12257-589: The southern area of the plain, while the A345 and the A360 cut across the centre. 20,000 hectares are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Special Areas of Conservation , and the entire Salisbury Plain is a Special Protection Area for birds. Salisbury Plain is famous for its history and archaeology . In the Neolithic period, Stone Age people began to settle on the plain, most likely centred around

12376-418: The sparsely populated plain is the biggest remaining area of calcareous grassland in northwest Europe. Additionally, the plain has arable land , and a few small areas of beech trees and coniferous woodland . Its highest point is Easton Hill. A large amount of land is set aside for military use as Salisbury Plain Training Area . The boundaries of Salisbury Plain have never been truly defined, and there

12495-562: The spherical nature of the earth (meaning there were more than 180 degrees in a triangle ) were all allowed for. Jacobite rising of 1745 The Jacobite rising of 1745 was an attempt by Charles Edward Stuart to regain the British throne for his father, James Francis Edward Stuart . It took place during the War of the Austrian Succession , when the bulk of the British Army was fighting in mainland Europe, and proved to be

12614-478: The throne of a united Great Britain and rule on the basis of divine right of kings and absolutism . Both principles had been rejected by the 1688 Glorious Revolution , but were reinforced by his trusted advisors, most of whom were long-term English or Irish Catholic exiles. They differed sharply from the Scottish Protestant nationalists who formed the bulk of the Jacobite army in 1745, and opposed

12733-602: The town in December, Cumberland wanted to execute those responsible. Leaving a small garrison, the Jacobites continued south to Preston on 26 November, then Manchester on 28th. Here they received the first notable intake of English recruits, which were formed into the Manchester Regiment . Their commander was Francis Towneley , a Lancashire Catholic and former French Royal Army officer, whose elder brother Richard had narrowly escaped execution for his part in

12852-467: The uncommon annual knawel ( Scleranthus annuus ). Two Red Data Book (RDB) plants occur on the plain. The largest population in Britain of tuberous thistle ( Cirsium tuberosum ) occurs on the western ranges and is notable for the low incidence of hybridisation with dwarf thistle, a contributory cause of its decline in other localities. Meadow clary ( Salvia pratensis ) persists as a small colony in tall upright brome grassland. Salisbury Plain supports

12971-492: The wall. Unable to return fire, the Highlanders broke and fell back in confusion; the north-eastern regiments and Irish and Scots regulars in the second line retired in good order, allowing Charles and his personal retinue to escape northwards. Troops that held together, like the French regulars, were far less vulnerable in retreat, but many Highlanders were cut down in the pursuit. Government casualties are estimated as 50 killed, plus 259 wounded; many Jacobite wounded remaining on

13090-468: The winter of 1745 to 1746, Maréchal Maurice de Saxe was assembling troops in Northern France in preparation for an offensive into Flanders , while Dunkirk was a major privateer base and always busy. Threatening an invasion was a far more cost-effective means of consuming British resources than actually doing so and these plans were formally cancelled in January 1746. The retreat badly damaged

13209-458: Was "determined to come [...] though with a single footman." When Murray returned to Edinburgh with this news, his colleagues reiterated their opposition to a rising without substantial French backing, but Charles gambled once in Scotland, the French would have to support him. He spent the first months of 1745 purchasing weapons, while victory at Fontenoy in April encouraged the French authorities to provide him with two transport ships. These were

13328-457: Was critical of the Jacobite leadership in general, while his opinion of Charles was so negative that he concluded France might be better served by supporting a Scottish Republic. Soon after this, Henry Benedict Stuart was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest ; Charles viewed this as tacit acceptance that the Stuart cause was finished and never forgave him. For both leaders, the Rebellion was to be

13447-403: Was in contact with English supporters, who were simply waiting for their arrival, while d'Éguilles assured the council a French landing in England was imminent. Despite their doubts, the Council agreed to the invasion, on condition the promised English and French support was forthcoming. Previous Scottish incursions into England had crossed the border at Berwick-upon-Tweed , but Murray selected

13566-502: Was largely responsible for the choice, but defeat was a combination of factors. In addition to superior numbers and equipment, Cumberland's troops had been drilled in countering the Highland charge, which relied on speed and ferocity to break the enemy lines. When successful it resulted in quick victories like Prestonpans and Falkirk, but if it failed, they could not hold their ground. The Battle of Culloden on 16 April, often cited as

13685-440: Was overly influenced by his Irish advisors. A "Prince's Council" of 15 to 20 senior leaders was established; Charles resented it as an imposition by the Scots on their divinely appointed monarch, while the daily meetings accentuated divisions between the factions. These internal tensions were highlighted by the meetings held on 30 and 31 October to discuss strategy. Most of the Scots wanted to consolidate their position and revive

13804-580: Was planned for February 1744 and began assembling 12,000 troops and transports at Dunkirk , selected because it was possible to reach the Thames from there in a single tide. Since the Royal Navy was well aware of this, the French squadron in Brest made ostentatious preparations for putting to sea, in hopes of luring away their patrols. James remained in Rome while Charles made his way in secret to join

13923-512: Was proclaimed King of Scotland the next day and Charles his Regent. On 21 September, the Jacobites intercepted and scattered Cope's army in less than 20 minutes at the Battle of Prestonpans , just outside Edinburgh. Prince William, Duke of Cumberland , commander of the British army in Flanders , was recalled to London, along with 12,000 troops. To consolidate his support in Scotland, Charles published two "Declarations" on 9 and 10 October:

14042-449: Was to measure a baseline between Hampton Poor House ( 51°25′35″N 0°21′57″W  /  51.4265°N 0.3657°W  / 51.4265; -0.3657 ) and King's Arbour ( 51°28′47″N 0°27′01″W  /  51.4798°N 0.4503°W  / 51.4798; -0.4503 ) on Hounslow Heath , a distance of just over 5 miles (8 km). This was a painstaking process: three rods of about 20 ft. were supported on trestles and

14161-489: Was unable to win support for another attempt, and died in Rome in 1788. The 1688 Glorious Revolution replaced the Catholic James II & VII with his Protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband William , who ruled as joint monarchs of England, Ireland and Scotland. Neither Mary, who died in 1694, nor her sister Anne , had surviving children, leaving their Catholic half-brother James Francis Edward as

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