King George’s Hangman: Henry Hawley and the Battle of Falkirk 1746(From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815)

'Hangman Hawley' is one of the villains of the '45 and holds a prominent place in Jacobite demonology but was also held in contempt by those who hated the Jacobite cause. He is reputed to have been a man who enjoyed hanging his own soldiers, looting from his enemies, and harrying defeated foes, yet he was defeated in the only battle that he ever held command. No one has come forward to defend his reputation. However, the Duke of Cumberland, commander in chief of the British army in the 1740s and 1750s declared him to be a highly capable cavalry officer. He certainly had the experience; being given his first command when less than ten years old and who fought in Spain, Flanders, Scotland and Germany, rising from ensign to lieutenant general, being wounded in the process. This book covers both Hawley's professional and personal life. In both he was a figure of controversy. Many hated him - especially Jacobites and civilians - but among soldiers his reputation was more mixed. Drawing on numerous sources this is the first attempt to provide a full length study on an important and controversial figure in eighteenth century British history. AUTHOR: Dr Oates is a historian and prolific author on the subject of the Jacobite campaigns from 1689-1746. His focus is on military matters, the British Army and its commanders, and especially the English dimension of the period. This is his seventh book on the topic and he has also written about thirty articles on aspects of Jacobitism, anti-Jacobitism, and the military campaigns. He has also edited three volumes of relevant material; the memoir of a loyalist Scottish officer, the letters of the Duke of Cumberland, as well as a memoir of an eighteenth century Leeds schoolmaster. There are a number of other similar books in the pipeline, including one on sieges of the 'Forty Five. The author studied History at Reading University in 1988-1991, obtaining a First Class degree with a thesis about the 'Fifteen, and then a doctorate from the same place in 2001, covering responses in north eastern England to the two major eighteenth century rebellions. He has been employed as Borough Archivist for the London Borough of Ealing since 1999. He has also had books published about criminal, local, and family history, especially in and around London. 6 b/w ills, 7 b/w photos. 2 maps

About the Author :
Dr Oates is a historian and prolific author on the subject of the Jacobite campaigns from 1689-1746. His focus is on military matters, the British Army and its commanders, and especially the English dimension of the period. This is his seventh book on the topic and he has also written about thirty articles on aspects of Jacobitism, anti-Jacobitism, and the military campaigns. He has also edited three volumes of relevant material; the memoir of a loyalist Scottish officer, the letters of the Duke of Cumberland, as well as a memoir of an eighteenth century Leeds schoolmaster. There are a number of other similar books in the pipeline, including one on sieges of the 'Forty Five. The author studied History at Reading University in 1988-1991, obtaining a First Class degree with a thesis about the 'Fifteen, and then a doctorate from the same place in 2001, covering responses in north eastern England to the two major eighteenth century rebellions. He has been employed as Borough Archivist for the London Borough of Ealing since 1999. He has also had books published about criminal, local, and family history, especially in and around London.

Review :
"This carefully researched biography describes Hawley’s youth, military career, Falkirk and later life to present a more rounded, sympathetic portrait of an officer whose one defeat “should not cast an entire eclipse over his lifetime as a soldier." "Students of the British army in the 18th Century will enjoy this book but the arguments over Hawley’s character are not yet settled, and that is a good thing."