Jacobite uprising in Cornwall of 1715

On 1 August 1714, Queen Anne died, George, Elector of Hanover, the son of the Electress Sophia, granddaughter of James I (1566–1625) was proclaimed King under the Act of Settlement of 1701.

This show of feeling prompted James Stuart, who subsequently became known as the Old Pretender, to believe he had enough support to use military force to claim the British throne.

The main leaders of the Jacobite uprising in Cornwall were the High Tories James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde and Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke.

Ormonde had implicit confidence in Colonel Maclean, who had been sent to Devon and Cornwall to visit prominent members of the Tory party, and others likely to support the Pretender's cause.

Following the release of the rebels, friends appeared with white cockades in their hats (a Jacobite symbol), as a token of joy they were welcomed with 'bonfire and ball' all the way to Lands End .