An 18th century propaganda publication printed by B. Cole in London 1746 and written by a member of the Ratcliffe family. It’s purpose was to prevent the public from believing any incorrect or incomplete accounts of Charles Ratcliffe, Jacobite and titular 5th Earl of Derwentwater. 

Charles was born 8 September 1693, in Essex, as the youngest son of the 2nd Earl of Derwentwater, Edward Ratcliffe, and Lady Mary Tudor, an illegitimate daughter of Charles II, brother of James II and VII. He had an elder brother, James, the 3rd Earl of Derwentwater, who was also a Jacobite. They were both 1st cousins once removed to James Francis Edward Stuart and 2nd cousins of Charles Edward Stuart through their mother. 

The propaganda publication includes the above information and further information on Ratcliffe’s upbringing in France, Roman Catholic education, relations to the Stuart line, participation in the uprisings of ’15 and ’45, marriage and children, arrests and arraignments, and finally, his execution and alleged last words. Throughout these memoirs the author provides their own analysis of Charles’ life and actions. According to the author, Charles and his elder brother, James, joined the Jacobites because they were corrupted by their Roman Catholic upbringing and education in France in addition to their companionship with James Stuart, not necessarily their own volition. 

The author begins the work with a detailed explanation of how education, relations, religion, and general upbringing can affect the political stance of a person. They show their clear bias against the Jacobites, Roman Catholics, the French and the Stuarts. The author uses this argument to bolster their claim that Charles and his brother James ended up as Jacobites because of things out of their control and goes on to remind people that the brothers were not educated as Prostestants, were not raised in England, and did not spend their early years in service to William III nor the government of their native country. Arguing that their minds lacked what an English man should have and that due to his brother’s loss of title and execution as well as his own death sentence contributed to the alienating Charles from the government and crown he was born under. This is shown when the author outlines Ratcliffe’s behaviour during his second arraignment in 1746, where he claimed he was subject only to the King of France, Louis XV, and conducted himself in a manner a French man would.

The arguments made by the author, the outlining of the events of Racliffe’s life, and the account of his execution make this almanac an important source the importance of politics during the era. The almanac is also a great source for 18th century writing, the populatity of propaganda publications, and sophistication of early printing presses and publication as well as tensions between England and France, Protestants and Catholics, the English and the Scottish and Irish, Jacobite conquests in England, and finally, a glimpse into arraignments and executions. Overall, this work, although genuine, is not quite impartial as the title claims but is a work that, for us, is a source of 18th century history and society.

Genuine and impartial memoirs of the life and character of Charles Ratcliffe : Esq ; who was beheaded on Tower-Hill, Monday, December 8, 1746. With an Account of his Family, and how far he was concerned in the Rebellion in 1715 ; the Inducements that occasioned his coming over to England, in 1735 ; and also the last Time with the Officers of Dillon's Regiment in the Irish Brigade in the French Service. To which is Added, A true Account of his Dying Behaviour and Last Words. Also a full Answer to the Letter inserted in the Daily Advertiser on Saturday, December 6, 1746, relating to these Memoirs. Wrote by a gentleman of the family, to prevent the Publick being imposed on by any erroneous or partial Accounts to the Prejudice of this unfortunate Gentleman.By Gerard Penrice. London : Printed for the Proprietor and Sold by B. Cole, Engraver and Copper- plate Printer, the Corner of King's Head Court, Holborn, 1746. s0412b24 Jacobite Collection

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