alternatehistory.com

I know. The obvious answer is no. Further, I know this post will sound like something from an 18th Century Jeremy Kyle, but hear me out.

However I do have a few questions surrounding Charles Edward Stuart, namely in relation to his relationship with Clementina Walkinshaw and his marriage to to Louise of Stolberg-Gedern.

After arriving on the Continent after Culloden, Charles took up with Clementina Walkinshaw, who was acknowledged as his mistress. Gradually as the years went on, he took to drink and eventually became violent towards her. This got so bad that, with the apparent blessing of the Old Pretender James Edward Stuart, she left Charles with their daughter Charlotte. I say with the blessing as James arranged for a pension of 10,000 livres per year. This was not a small amount. Charles, furious at her leaving him and taking his child never forgave her.

After the passing of James, her situation became more troublesome and this is where my questions begin.

Aware of the dangers of falling into poverty, Clementina went to Charles brother Henry, who agreed to continue her pension on one condition. That she sign a document stating she never married Charles. If she was just his mistress, why should this condition exist? Further, she later tried to rescind this statement. Why should she try to do so if she was just his mistress?

On the back of this, why didn't Charles marry until he was 52 years old, on the assumption that he never married Clementina? Surely keeping the line would be the priority for him after all, and I have no doubt after the '45 he would have had ladies from aristocratic families flocking to him.

None of it makes any sense to me. Any answers as to why the clause was added?
Top