Stuart snuff box
A Stuart painting
Another Stuart wine goblet

The Stuart and Jacobite Collections

Denys Bower was fascinated by the Stuarts and the Jacobite cause, and was not only a member of the Stuart Society, but was rumoured to have thought himself a reincarnation of Bonnie Prince Charlie!  His passion for the subject resulted in a fascinating, varied collection consisting of a number of high quality portraits, many prints and original royal documents, as well as numerous interesting relics and medals.

The Stuart and Jacobite exhibition is displayed in the White Rose Drawing Room and the Print Room in the Castle, showcasing a portion of the collection alongside information about the social history of the time and the evolution of the Jacobite cause.  In order to be able to exhibit as much of the collection as possible, and give many of the sensitive artefacts a break from light exposure and fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity, objects are rotated each year.

Some of the key features of the current exhibition are:

  • The heart, hair, blood and garter ribbon of James II
  • Two beautiful portrait miniatures of James II and Charles II by Samuel Cooper
  • Broadswords used in the Battle of Culloden
  • A drinks bill written to Prince Charles Edward (Bonnie Prince Charlie)
  • A number of artefacts with hidden Jacobite symbols including drinking glasses, snuff boxes, a pincushion and a compass
"));