Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat

Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat (c. 1667 - April 9, 1747, London), Scottish Jacobite, chief of the clan Fraser, was famous for his violent feuding and his changes of allegiances. In 1715, he had been a supporter of the House of Hanover, but in 1745 he changed sides and supported the Stuart claim on the crown of Scotland. Lovat was among the Highlanders defeated at the Battle of Culloden and convicted of treason against the Crown. He was the last man in Britain to be beheaded on Tower Hill, London .

Arrest and Execution

Lovat, after enduring incredible hardships in his wanderings, was at last arrested on an island in Loch Morar. He was conveyed in a litter to London, and after a trial of five days sentence of death was pronounced on the 19th of March 1747. His execution took place on the 9th of April. His conduct to the last was dignified and even cheerful. Just before submitting his head to the block he repeated the line from Horace: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~