The March of the Guards to Finchley in 1745 by William Hogarth

Detail of The March of the Guards by Hogarth

William Hogarth's work of 1750 depicts the footguards setting off to fight the Young Pretender, Charles Edward, who in 1745 had landed on the west coast of Scotland with just seven followers. The Highlanders rose in support of their hero, occupied Edinburgh, and moved south into England as far as Derby. But the Pretender's English sympathisers did not join him, and with no help from France, he was forced to retreat, and his troupes were finally routed on Culloden Moor near Inverness.


Hogarth presented his depiction to George II, but the king was not amused, ordering the bearer "Take this trumpery out of my sight".