Charles Edward Stuart's Targe

[creagdhubh]

The targe was on display for many years at Cluny Castle (traditional seat of the Macpherson Chiefs) in Laggan, Inverness-shire. During the late 19th century, the 20th Chief of the Clan Macpherson, Ewen Macpherson of Cluny (1804-1885), affectionately known by his people in Badenoch and all over the Highlands as 'Old Cluny,' donated the targe to the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh (now the National Museum of Scotland) where it can be seen on display today.

According to 'Old Cluny' and verified by Clan Macpherson historians of the time, to include the reputed Aeneas Macpherson of Strathmashie, F.S.A. Scot, the targe was one of thirteen that had been made for Prince Charles Edward Stuart and were ceremonially given by the Prince to some of his most loyal Jacobite supporters and commanders in 1745. Originally, the targe was gifted to 'Old Cluny's' grandfather, Ewan Macpherson of Cluny (Cluny of the '45), Colonel of the Macpherson contingent (Cluny's Regiment) within the Jacobite Army, by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, therefore this particular targe was never carried by the Prince at Culloden.

I've always been very fond of the targe and its associated history. It's quite a visually striking and handsome piece to say the least. Kenneth MacLeay did the original specimen justice in his fantastic watercolour portrayal of the targe, held by Lachlan Macpherson ('Lachlan Mor') of Catlodge. I've always been rather fond of MacLeay's portrait of Lachlan and Ewan Macpherson as well.

'Old Cluny'

[artificer]

The targe was on display for many years at Cluny Castle (traditional seat of Macpherson Chiefs) in Laggan, Inverness-shire. During the late 19th century, the 20th Chief of the Clan Macpherson, Ewen Macpherson of Cluny (1804-1885), affectionately known by his people in Badenoch and all over the Highlands as 'Old Cluny,' donated the targe to the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh (now the National Museum of Scotland) where it can be seen on display today.

According to 'Old Cluny' and verified by Clan Macpherson historians of the time, to include the reputed Aeneas Macpherson of Strathmashie, F.S.A. Scot, the targe was one of thirteen that had been made for Prince Charles Edward Stuart and were ceremonially given by the Prince to some of his most loyal Jacobite supporters and commanders in 1745. Originally, the targe was gifted to 'Old Cluny's' grandfather, Ewan Macpherson of Cluny (Cluny of the '45), Colonel of the Macpherson contingent (Cluny's Regiment) within the Jacobite Army, by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, therefore this particular targe was never carried by the Prince at Culloden.

Super! Thank you Kyle, I was hoping you'd weigh in on this.

Yet another case of "George Washington Slept Here". Although I DID hear that he made a few stops out around British Columbia, Steve- so I think your sign is fine

I wonder what happened to the other 11...

and if Bonnie Prince Charlie really did carry one at Culloden?

As an aside, can you imagine carting around 13 of these things while at war? They must have been stacked up like pizza boxes

ith:

[creagdhubh]

Super! Thank you Kyle, I was hoping you'd weigh in on this.

Yet another case of "George Washington Slept Here". Although I DID hear that he made a few stops out around British Columbia, Steve- so I think your sign is fine

I wonder what happened to the other 11...

and if Bonnie Prince Charlie really did carry one at Culloden?

As an aside, can you imagine carting around 13 of these things while at war? They must have been stacked up like pizza boxes

ith:

Exactly! I've often wondered that too. Perhaps some of the targes are collecting dust in the attic of some grand house somewhere in the Highlands as we speak! Who knows?!

[Father Bill]

Fascinating. The documentation is what makes the thing fabulous.

[artificer]

Exactly! I've often wondered that too. Perhaps some of the targes are collecting dust in the attic of some grand house somewhere in the Highlands as we speak! Who knows?!

Wouldn't that be an AMAZING find to see pop up on Antiques Roadshow!!

BTW: Steve I meant to offer my apologies in my last post for propagating incorrect information,
you were correct after all.

Now you'll all excuse me while I wander off muttering quiet obscenities to myself about incorrect 'historical' information.

ith:

edit: typos

[Downunder Kilt]

Whatever the provenance, still a magnificent looking targe and can hang in my loungeroom anytime. Thanks for putting up the photo Scott.

[TheOfficialBren]

Whatever the provenance, still a magnificent looking targe and can hang in my loungeroom anytime. Thanks for putting up the photo Scott.

...and I will be happy to loan it tonyou any time, Mike. Lol.

Thanks, Atrificer. Great theead. Thanks, Kyle. I dig the hostory lesson here.

Ot would be a shame if some of his other targes ended up on the black market but, unfortunately, these things happen more often than most people realise. Private collectors actully seem to do more harm than good on many occasions. I had an archaeology professor a whole back that kind of instilled that opinion, though.

[jhockin]

From the web page on the National Museums of Scotland:
"Targe, owned by Prince Charles Edward Stewart

A targe is a circular Highland battle shield made of wood and covered with leather. This example was presented to Prince Charles Edward Stewart in 1740 by James, 3rd Duke of Perth.

The targe is made in the traditional highland way, with overlapping wooden boards covered in pigskin. It is, however, much more elaborately decorated than most Highland targes and its silver mounts were probably added in London in 1740.

The targe was rescued from Culloden battlefield in 1746 by Jacobite colonel Ewan MacPherson of Cluny and remained in his family until the 20th century."

[McMurdo]

Well rather interesting reading, thanks all for the well researched posts. For me this shows yet again that these portraits by Kenneth MacLeay were and are in fact wonderful representations of various people in the best Highlandwear they could beg or borrow. Not the flights of fancy that many think them to be. Thank you Scott for this wonderful example of what a great portrait artist MacLeay really was.