Fact Book: The Duke of Cumberland

Born 1721. Died 1765.

The Duke of Cumberland was also known as Prince William Augustus. He was the youngest son of King George II and an heir to the throne of Britain. He fought Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites at the battle of Culloden.

• The Duke was seen as a great army general who won important battles
• After the battle of Culloden many people thought Cumberland was a hero because he had saved the country from the Jacobite army
• Many Scottish Highlanders thought he was a terrible man though. They thought he was to blame for the terrible behaviour of his soldiers
• The Duke's soldiers killed many injured Jacobites and many more innocent people who were not even at the battle
• Because his soldiers killed so many people, the Duke was given the nickname "The Butcher"
• The Duke was almost the same age as Bonnie Prince Charlie and was even related to him!
• The Duke had a plant named after him. To his supporters it was nicknamed Sweet William. To his enemies it was nicknamed Stinking Billy!