Flora Macdonald (1722–1790) In 1746, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, pretender to the British throne, was a wanted man. Flora disguised him as her maid and helped him escape by boat. She was eventually arrested and imprisoned for aiding in the...

Flora Macdonald (1722–1790)

In 1746, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, pretender to the British throne, was a wanted man.  Flora disguised him as her maid and helped him escape by boat.  She was eventually arrested and imprisoned for aiding in the prince’s escape.  After her release in 1747 she commissioned this portrait which she gave to the captain of the ship used in Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape in thanks for the kindness he had shown her.