The Plundering of Lowther Hall, Cumbria by Prisoners held at York

Regarding the plundering of Lowther Hall no detailed information is available, in contemporary records, beyond the fact that Edmund Clavering of the Manchester regiment was tried at York for being concerned in it, was convicted and hanged on 1st November 1746. With him were associated at least two other prisoners, John James Jellens and Louis Foure, both of whom claimed to be French subjects, and to be outside the jurisdiction of the Court. The only information available is the statement in the Scots Magazine (October 1746, 485) that: "they were concerned with several rebels in plundering Lord Lonsdale's house of Lowther Hall, where they were taken prisoners by the Militia."

Jellens was held by the Court to have "acquired a local allegiance" as he had come over to England as servant to a Dutch officer, "under the appearance of an ally and friend to the Government," and that therefore "he was under the protection of the Crown of Britain as soon as he set foot on shore ; that therefore, from the time he had a claim to the King's protection, his Majesty had certainly a claim to his allegiance." The jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to death ; on the day fixed for his execution, however, he was reprieved and was ultimately pardoned on condition of enlistment.

Louis Foure was acquitted, but kept as a prisoner of war. It is possible, though unlikely, that this incident occurred when part of the retiring Jacobite rearguard, under Lord George Murray, went in the direction of Lowther Hall expecting to come in contact with the English Light Horse ; "hard by" the house Lord George says he captured an English officer and one of Cumberland's footmen. It appears more likely that these three prisoners had left Carlisle before its recapture by the English and were living on the country. (Ref. Scottish History Society, Prisoners of the 45, Vol. I Pages 134-135)

Edmund Clavering was part of the Jacobite garrison left at Carlisle after the Prince’s first visit there and at the end of November. He was one of about 40 hussars who rode south to join the main army which was still heading towards London.

Clavering and his comrades rode through Penrith and on to Lowther Hall, a few miles to the north-east of Ullswater in the Lake District, home of the hated Hanoverian Viscount Lonsdale. The viscount was not at home, being actively engaged in tracking the movements of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army. The Jacobite hussars forced their way into the house and ordered dinner from Lord Lonsdale’s servants. A message, however, had been sent back to Penrith. A group of “brave stout young men” attacked the Jacobites. It turned into a shambolic rout and Clavering and several of his companions were captured.

Carlisle still being in the hands of the Jacobites, the prisoners were delivered to the army and then taken cross-country to York Castle. Their arrival on 10 December 1745 was reported by the local paper, the York Courant. Taken “regaling themselves at Lowther Hall, the seat of Lord Lonsdale in westmorland”, the newspaper also mentions that Clavering had been wounded in the ensuing skirmish.

Edmond Clavering and George Hamilton were both hanged on York Knavesmire on Saturday 1st November 1746.

(Ref:- “Damn’ Rebel Bitches: the women of the 45” by Maggie Craig Page 101)