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Battle of Stirling (1648)
Encyclopedia
The second Battle of Stirling was fought on the 12 September 1648 during the Scottish Civil War
of the 17th century.
movement had defeated the Scottish Royalists, who favoured unconditional loyalty to King Charles I
. However, the Covenanters then split apart over what conditions peace should be made with the King. The more moderate Engager faction favoured peace with the King and alliance against his enemies, the English Parliament, in the English Civil War
. By 1648, this view was predominant in the Scottish Parliament
. A more extreme faction, the "Kirk Party
" favoured alliance with the Parliamentarians, with an eventual view to imposing Presbyterianism on the Three Kingdoms. Earl of Lanark
, younger brother of the Duke of Hamilton
, had been left to defend Scotland against Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll
, a covenanter who was now in open rebellion against the Scottish parliament, over their royalist sympathies.
The Marquis of Argyll's nucleus force consisted of about 300 men. He was joined by another 400 men on his way to Stirling
. He was also joined by another 300 militia when he arrived at Stirling on the morning of September 12, 1648. His men were assigned to guard various areas of the town and his main force joined him to dine with the Earl of Mar
's residence in Deer Park (now called Kings Park).
, a Highlander, came pouring through the gate and into the park. The Marquis of Argyll then mounted his horse, galloped over Stirling Bridge to Queensferry to find safety, while making his escape he received fire from Stirling Castle
which had not yet surrendered to Argyll and was still flying the Kings colours.
Sir George Munro had learned that the Marquis of Argyll was in Stirling
and moved in on his own initiative to try to capture one of Argyll's commanders a MacKenzie, his hated enemy but had actually succeeded in entering Stirling before any of Argyll's commanders were aware of his presence.
The battle surprised the Marquis of Argyll's men, who broke after some initial stubbon resistance, losing about 200 dead and a further 400 who were taken prisoner. Many more were killed trying to escape and some even drowned trying to swim across the River Forth
to safety. Among the dead of the Marquis of Argyll's men was William Campbell of Glenfalloch and Sir Colin Campbell of Ardkinglas killed in action.
Outside of Stirling the Earl of Lanark had a force of 4000 horse and 6000 men on foot. The Marquis of Argyll's General David Leslie commanded 3000 horse and 8000 men on foot also out side of Stirling. It is often thought interesting to speculate what sort of battle would have taken place the next day was it not for Munro's initiative on the morning of 12 September 1648.
Munro urged Lanark to continue after the Battle of Stirling and attack David Leslie's forces but he was over-ruled and negotiations for peace began on the 15th. Both sides agreed to disband their forces by the 29 September 1648.
in 1650 against the Royalist Montrose.
Scottish Civil War
Between 1644 and 1651 Scotland was involved the Wars of the Three Kingdoms during a period when a series of civil wars that were fought in Scotland, England and in Ireland...
of the 17th century.
Background
The Battle of Stirling in 1648 was part of the War of the Three Kingdoms. By this time, the Presbyterian CovenanterCovenanter
The Covenanters were a Scottish Presbyterian movement that played an important part in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent in that of England and Ireland, during the 17th century...
movement had defeated the Scottish Royalists, who favoured unconditional loyalty to King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
. However, the Covenanters then split apart over what conditions peace should be made with the King. The more moderate Engager faction favoured peace with the King and alliance against his enemies, the English Parliament, in the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. By 1648, this view was predominant in the Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament...
. A more extreme faction, the "Kirk Party
Kirk Party
The Kirk Party were a radical Presbyterian faction of the Scottish Covenanters during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. They came to the fore after the defeat of the Engagers faction in 1648 at the hands of Oliver Cromwell and the English Parliament...
" favoured alliance with the Parliamentarians, with an eventual view to imposing Presbyterianism on the Three Kingdoms. Earl of Lanark
William Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Hamilton
William Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Hamilton KG was a Scottish nobleman who supported both Royalist and Presbyterian causes during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms....
, younger brother of the Duke of Hamilton
James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton
General Sir James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton KG was a Scottish nobleman and influential Civil war military leader.-Young Arran:...
, had been left to defend Scotland against Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, 8th Earl of Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell, was the de facto head of government in Scotland during most of the conflict known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, also known as the British Civil War...
, a covenanter who was now in open rebellion against the Scottish parliament, over their royalist sympathies.
The Marquis of Argyll's nucleus force consisted of about 300 men. He was joined by another 400 men on his way to Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
. He was also joined by another 300 militia when he arrived at Stirling on the morning of September 12, 1648. His men were assigned to guard various areas of the town and his main force joined him to dine with the Earl of Mar
Earl of Mar
The Mormaer or Earl of Mar is a title that has been created seven times, all in the Peerage of Scotland. The first creation of the earldom was originally the provincial ruler of the province of Mar in north-eastern Scotland...
's residence in Deer Park (now called Kings Park).
The battle
The Marquis of Argyll had barely begun his meal when the Earl of Lanark's advance forces, commanded by Sir George Munro, 1st of NewmoreGeorge Munro, 1st of Newmore
Sir George Munro, 1st of Newmore was a 17th century Scottish soldier and member of parliament from the Clan Munro, Ross-shire, Scotland. He was seated at Newmore Castle.-Lineage:...
, a Highlander, came pouring through the gate and into the park. The Marquis of Argyll then mounted his horse, galloped over Stirling Bridge to Queensferry to find safety, while making his escape he received fire from Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep...
which had not yet surrendered to Argyll and was still flying the Kings colours.
Sir George Munro had learned that the Marquis of Argyll was in Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
and moved in on his own initiative to try to capture one of Argyll's commanders a MacKenzie, his hated enemy but had actually succeeded in entering Stirling before any of Argyll's commanders were aware of his presence.
The battle surprised the Marquis of Argyll's men, who broke after some initial stubbon resistance, losing about 200 dead and a further 400 who were taken prisoner. Many more were killed trying to escape and some even drowned trying to swim across the River Forth
River Forth
The River Forth , long, is the major river draining the eastern part of the central belt of Scotland.The Forth rises in Loch Ard in the Trossachs, a mountainous area some west of Stirling...
to safety. Among the dead of the Marquis of Argyll's men was William Campbell of Glenfalloch and Sir Colin Campbell of Ardkinglas killed in action.
Outside of Stirling the Earl of Lanark had a force of 4000 horse and 6000 men on foot. The Marquis of Argyll's General David Leslie commanded 3000 horse and 8000 men on foot also out side of Stirling. It is often thought interesting to speculate what sort of battle would have taken place the next day was it not for Munro's initiative on the morning of 12 September 1648.
Munro urged Lanark to continue after the Battle of Stirling and attack David Leslie's forces but he was over-ruled and negotiations for peace began on the 15th. Both sides agreed to disband their forces by the 29 September 1648.
Aftermath
Shortly after this battle the army of the Earl of Lanark and the army of the Marquess of Argyll, which was commanded by David Leslie, made peace and joined forces. On 27 September 1648 the Treaty of Stirling was agreed and it led to the end of Engager dominance of Scotland. Men from both sides fought together on the same side at the Battle of CarbisdaleBattle of Carbisdale
The Battle of Carbisdale took place close to the Village of Culrain on 27 April 1650 and was part of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
in 1650 against the Royalist Montrose.
See also
- Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
- English Civil WarEnglish Civil WarThe English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. - David Leslie
- StirlingStirlingStirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...