This Day in Jacobite History: 200th Anniversary of Death of Henry Benedict Stuart, Cardinal Duke of York (13 July 1807)

Henry IX and I
Henry Benedict Stuart,
Cardinal Duke of York

On this date 200 years ago - 13 July 1807, died Henry Benedict Cardinal Stuart, the last legitimate Stuart claimant to the thrones of England and Scotland.

Henry Benedict Stuart was the grandson of King James II and VII, and the second son of James Francis Edward Stuart (the Chevalier de St. George) and Maria Clementina Sobieska, daughter of Prince James Sobieski of Poland. His more famous brother was Charles Edward Stuart, known to history as "Bonnie Prince Charlie".

In addition to his royal lineage, Henry was also a Prince of the Church, taking holy orders at the age of 22 and becoming one of the longest-serving Cardinals in the history of the Catholic Church. He is perhaps best known by the title "the Cardinal Duke of York".

From his Wikipedia entry:

Henry Benedict Cardinal Stuart (March 11, 1725 – July 13, 1807) was the fourth and final Jacobite heir publicly to claim the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Unlike his father, James Francis Edward Stuart, and brother, Charles Edward Stuart, Henry made no effort to seize the throne. In January 1766 the Papacy recognised the Hanoverian dynasty as lawful rulers of England, Scotland and Ireland.

He spent his life in the Papal States serving as the Dean of the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. At the time of his death he was (and still is) one of the longest serving Cardinals in the Church's history.

In his youth Henry's father made him Duke of York (in the Jacobite peerage), and it was by this title that he was best known. Upon the death of his brother in 1788 Henry became known by Jacobites, and within his personal entourage, as Henry IX & I, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, although publicly he referred to himself as Cardinal-Duke of York nuncupatus.

Notwithstanding his claim to the throne, Henry was in general a peaceable man, attentive to his duties, well respected and a generous host in Rome to many English and Scottish visitors, both Roman Catholic and Protestant.

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Henry Benedict, his brother, his father and his mother are buried in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. There is a monument to the Royal Stuarts designed by Antonio Canova in the basilica to their memory on one of the columns in the basilica proper. This was restored within living memory at the expense of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

[More]

Links:
Henry Benedict Maria Clement Stuart, Catholic Encyclopedia article
Henry IX and I, The Jacobite Heritage

Henry Benedict Stuart, English Monarchs - The Jacobite Succession
Heraldry for the Cardinal Duke of York, Andrew Cusack
'Henry IX' 1807-2007, Fr. Nicholas Schofield
Portraits of Henry Benedict Maria Clement Stuart, Cardinal York (1725-1807), National Portrait Gallery
The Last Stuart and Royal Hospital Chelsea Commemoration of the Bicentenary of the death of Henry Benedict Stuart, July 2007, Young Fogey


Tombstone of Henry Benedict Stuart
Now located in the Pontifical Scots College, Rome

Tomb of the Royal Stuarts
Crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, The Vatican, Rome

Royal Stuart Monument, The Vatican, Rome
Inscription translation:
To James III,
son of James II, King of Great Britain,
to Charles Edward,
and to Henry, Dean of the Cardinal Fathers,
sons of James III,
the last of the Royal House of Stuart.


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
This Day in Jacobite History: Mary Queen of Scots Deposed - 24 July 1567

This Day in Jacobite History: The Battle of Killiecrankie - 27 July 1689

This Day in Jacobite History: Death of Queen Anne; George, Elector of Hanover, Becomes King - 1 August 1714

This Day in Jacobite History: Proscription Act Introduced, Banning Tartan and Carrying of Weapons - 1 August 1747

This Day in Jacobite History: Latin Mass Outlawed in Scotland - 11 August 1560

This Day in Jacobite History: Raising of the Jacobite Standard at Glenfinnan - 19 August 1745

This Day in Jacobite History: Marriage Ceremony of James Francis Edward Stuart and Princess Maria Clementina Sobieska - 1 September 1719

This Day in Jacobite History: Death of King James II and VII - 16 September 1701

This Day in Jacobite History: Charles Edward Stuart Arrives in Edinburgh, Proclaims His Father Rightful King - 17 September 1745

This Day in Jacobite History: Lochaber No More - 20 September 1746

This Day in Jacobite History: Charlie Stuart's Finest Hour, the Battle of Prestonpans - 21 September 1745

This Day in Jacobite History: Birth of King James II and VII - 14 October 1633

This Day in Jacobite History: Charles Edward Stuart's Entry into Derby, England - 4 December 1745

This Day in Jacobite History: Jacobite Retreat from Derby - 6 December 1745

This Day in Jacobite History: Charles Edward Stuart Born in Rome - 31 December 1720

This Day in Jacobite History: Martyrdom of Mary, Queen of Scots - 8 February 1587

This Day in Jacobite History: The Acts of Union - 1 May 1707