A Murder in the Royal Palace in Edinburgh - a Timeline from 1566

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In Ayrshire an English army marched south-west from Kilmarnock and captured Ayr on 17 May, after a siege lasting three days. (1) The only bridge over the River Ayr was the 13th century stone Auld Brig, This was bravely defended by the citizens of the town, both men and women, and by Irish and Scottish soldiers, and English volunteers in the Scottish army. But the English army forced their way across by weight of numbers. After intense fighting the English army entered the town. About 3200 civilians were killed, many in cold blood and 128 Irish soldiers, as well as Scottish soldiers and English volunteers, and English soldiers. No prisoners were taken, and wounded soldiers and volunteers were killed in cold blood, by the English army. English soldiers raped 315 women.

The sixty remaining Irish soldiers with Scottish troops and English volunteers, fled nine miles south to the town of Maybole, which they entered on 18 May. (2)

(1) For Ayr see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayr.

(2) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maybole.

 

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On 14 May 1669 the Scottish army, led by the Earl of Montrose, advanced east from Kirkliston. The battle of Edinburgh fought in the western outskirts of the city on 16 May, was a decisive Scottish victory over the English, and they marched into the city. They were greeted enthusiastically as liberators by the people. The English army, led by General Richard Turner, retreated eastward. When Melrose and his men entered Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace, all the English who had been there had left.

 

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In Maybole the Scottish army with 145 English volunteers and thirty Irish soldiers waited for the English army. In the battle of Maybole fought outside the town on 21 May 1669, the English army was victorious, though the Scots and their allies fought bravely against heavy odds. After the battle, the citizens of Maybole opened their gates to the English army. Because they offered no resistance, none were harmed and no women were raped.

Of the English volunteers, 89 were killed in battle, or if wounded, on the battle field afterwards by English soldiers. The remaining 56 were publicly hanged in Maybole as traitors. All the Irish soldiers were killed in battle, or after if wounded. 945 Scottish soldiers died in battle, or if too badly wounded to escape, were killed by English soldiers afterwards on the battle field. The English army took no prisoners. 161 Scottish soldiers managed to escape. Their intention was to make their way north-east across country to Linlithgow. They believed the Scottish army was still there.

The Engliah army advanced south from Maybole down the Ayrshire and Galloway coast to Portpatrick, which they reached on 27 May 1669. Towns opened their gates to them, so they were spared retribution. Then they travelled on ships back to Glasgow.

 

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George I, King of Scots, and the royal family, returned to Edinburgh from Dunfermline on 18 May 1669, and took up residence in Holyroodhouse Palace. The Scottish government also returned to Edinburgh. The Scottish army, led by the Earl of Montrose, pursued the English army as it retreated east from Edinburgh. They liberated the towns and villages along the coast, among them Longniddry on 21 May and Aberlady on 23 May, and North Berwick on 27 May. (1) However they were defeated by the English army at the battle of Tyninghame on 1 June and retreated to North Berwick. (2)

Meanwhile the Scottish soldiers who escaped after the battle of Maybole on 21 May, were led by Captain Iain Garlies, the youngest son of the Earl of Galloway. They walked across country avoiding towns, English soldiers were garrisoned in them. but not villages. There people gave them food and shelter, and they told them about the atrocities by the English army.

In Carnwath on 26 May, they were told that the Scottish army had liberated Edinburgh. (3) So instead of going to Linlithgow as originally intended. they made their way to Edinburgh which they reached on 1 June 1669. They were greeted as heroes by the king and the royal family and the people of the city. After two days rest, they marched east, led by Captain Garlies. to join their comrades in North Berwick.

(1) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longniddry, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberlady, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Berwick.

(2) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyninghame.

(3) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnwath.

 

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In May 1669 the English army stationed in Glasgow advanced north east from that city. They captured Kirkintilloch on 12 May and Kilsyth on 15 May. (1) Because these towns offered no resistance, they were spared the retribution of killing of civilians and raping of women. The English army continued their advance and reached Stirling. The city had been liberated by the Scottish army on 15 April 1669. Although Scottish troops defended the city bravely, they succumbed to superior odds, and it was captured on 19 May. The English army killed all the Scottish soldiers, who were not killed in battle, and 211 civilians, and raped 693 women. They also blew up Stirling Castle.

The English army advanced six miles north to Dunblane, which they entered unopposed on 21 May. (2) They completely destroyed the medieval cathedral which has been restored earlier in the seventeenth century. After leaving garrisons in the towns they captured, the English army returned to Glasgow on 28 May 1669.

(1 See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirkintilloch
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilsyth.

(2) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunblane.

 

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Henry Edwards was a soldier in the English garrison in Dunblane. He was 24 years old, single, and Welsh, from near Ruthin in Denbighshire, north-east Wales. He saw and was appalled and disgusted by the English army in Stirling, and the destruction of Dunblane Cathedral. On 23 May 1669, he shared his feelings with his comrades, and persuaded 26 of them that they should desert from the English army and join the Scottish army. In fighting with the eight soldiers who opposed them, Edwards and his comrades were victorious.

Later that day, Edwards and his comrades laid down their weapons in the town square, and Edwards addressed the people. He said that the English invasion of Scotland, and the evils committed by the English army and the occupying authorities were sinful and wrong. Therefore he and his comrades renounced their allegiance to King Robert II of England, and the English army. They now gave their allegiance to George, King of Scots, and the Scottish army. Edwards said he was Welsh, not English, and though Wales had been conquered by England, Scotland would never be. One day Wales would regain its independence. He was cheered loudly by the people.

 

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Two prominent citizens of Dunblane then rode five miles south-east to the Scottish garrison at Menstrie Castle. [1] They told the commander about the defection of Henry Ellis and his twenty-six comrades from England to Scotland. He told them to bring the English soldiers to Menstrie. Then they rode back to Dunblane. Two of the eight English soldiers who opposed Ellis and his comrades were killed in the fighting, the other six were in Dunblane gaol.

On 24 May, Ellis and his comrades, and the six prisoners in chains, and their escorts made their way to Menstrie Castle. Their Ellis and his 26 comrades solemnly swore their allegiance to George I, King of Scots, and joined the Scottish army. The six prisoners were put in Menstrie prison.

[1] See http://undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/menstrie/menstriecastle/index.html.

 

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On 28 May 1669, a Scottish army, together with Henry Ellis and his 26 former English army comrades, re-captured Stirling from the English. The six English prisoners brought from Menstrie prison, and English prisoners of war, were put trial for murder and/or rape committed in the English army's storming of Stirling on 15 April 1669. Five of the six prisoners and 764 prisoners of war were hanged in batches in public in the town square. The other prisoners were allowed to return to Glasgow without their weapons. The hanging of prisoners for rape was and is controversial.

 

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The Fellowship of Christian Love in England and Wales was banned by King Robert II in November 1668. They actively opposed the English invasion of Scotland as immoral and unjust, and wrote and printed news letters and pamphlets denouncing it. Men in the Fellowship sailed to Scotland to fight in the Scottish army. Members of the Fellowship met and celebrated Mass and other religious services in their houses. In 1669 there were an estimated 178,000 members of the Fellowship in England, Scotland and Wales.

Margaret Fell (born 1614) was a priest in the Fellowship. Her husband, Thomas, had died in 1658, and she inherited Swarthmore Hall in Furness from him. Swarthmore was a place of refuge for the Fellowship, and she celebrated Mass, administered the sacraments and led other religious services there, and in the surrounding towns and villages. Her seven daughters and one son were also members of the Fellowship.

In accordance with the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France, King Louis XIV of France sent 1,100 French troops to Scotland in June 1669. Though the battle of Oldhamstocks on 21 June was a Scottish and French defeat by the English army, they retreated in good order six miles north west to Dunbar. [1] The English army advanced to Dunbar and beseiged it from 23 June. However the town resisted capture and the English army retreated south-east to Innerwick. [2]

[1] See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldhamstocks, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar.

[2] See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innerwick.

 

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The combined Scottish and French army advanced from Dunbar in pusuit of the Rnglish army. The battle of Innerwick on 28 June 1669 was a Scottish/French defeat by the English, and they retreated back to Dunbar. The English army pursued them and beseiged the town. However the siege was unsuccesful and the English army retreated south east.

The Scottish/French army advanced south east from Dunbar. The second battle of Innerwick on 6 July was a Scottish/French victory over the English, and they captured that town. From there they continued their advance close to the North Sea coast, and liberated the town of Oldhamstocks and the seaside village of Cove from English occupation. (1) However they failed to take Coldingham on 9 July, and their advance stopped there. (2)

(1) For Cove see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cove,_Scottish_Borders.

(2) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coldingham.

 

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The Scottish and French armies liberated Coldingham from English occupation on their second attempt on 16 July 1669. The battle of Eyemouth on 18 July was a Scottish and French victory, and the town was liberated. (1)

On 21 July, The Scottish and French armies crossed the border with England. They continued pursuing the English army. Scottish troops entered Berwick-upon-Tweed on 23 July 1669 without any opposition. (2) The mayor and town council unanimously surrendered the town, and gave their allegiance to George I, King of Scots. The Scottish soldiers' behaviour towards the civilian population was of the highest standard. They also occupied Berwick Castle. They did not pursue the retreating English army across the River Tweed.

(1) For Eyemouth see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyemouth.

(2) For Berwick see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berwick_upon_Tweed.

 

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The Scottish and French armies advanced east from Berwick-upon-Tweed. After Duns was liberated on 27 July 1669, the army turned south-west towards Kelso. (1) However the battle of Kelso on 2 August was a Scottish and Fremch defeat, and the armies retreated to Duns.

The south of Scotland, except for the south-east extending no more than 12 miles inland from the North Sea, was still under English occupation, and had been annexed by England. Meanwhile a Scottish army, led by the Earl of Montrose, advanced south from Edinburgh. However it lost the battle of Penicuik on 3 August and retreated to Roslin. (2)

(1) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duns,_Scottish_Borders and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelso,_Scottish_Borders.

2) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penicuik and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roslin,_Midlothian.

 

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The Scottish and French armies south-west again from Duns. Though they lost the battle of Greenlaw on 6 August 1669, it was not a decisive English victory. (1) The allied armies advanced west, instead of south to Kelso as the English general expected. They besieged the town of Lauder on 13 August. but failed to liberate it from English occupation. (2) They then turned south-west, and after their narrow defeated at the battle of Innerleithen on 18 August, they marched north. (3)

Meanwhile another Scottish army, led by the Earl of Montrose, was advancing south-east from Roslin. It joined up with the Scottish and French armies advancing north from Innerleithen, at Eddleston on 21 August. (4)

(1) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenlaw.

(2) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauder.

(3) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innerleithen.

(4) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddleston.

 

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The Scottish and French armies advanced south from Eddleston. After winning the battle of Peebles on 25 August 1669, they liberated the town. (1) The allied armies then advanced east. Though they suffered a setback when they were narrowly defeated by an English army at the second battle of Innerleithen on 31 August, they continued their advance and liberated Galashiels on 4 September. (2) Then they turned north-east and liberated Lauder on 9 September.

In the liberated towns of Peebles, Galashiels and Lauder, the commanders of the English garrisons and those soldiers guilty of murder or rape, were publicly hanged in the town square. That was 13 in Peebles, 12 in Galashiels and 5 in Lauder.

(1) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peebles.

(2) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galashiels.

 

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The Scottish and French armies liberated the towns of Melrose and Selkirk from English occupation, on 3 and 6 September 1669 respectively. However they were defeated by the English at the battle of Hawick on 13 September, and retreated to Selkirk. From there the Scottish commander, the Earl of Montrose, led the allied armies south-east and won a decisive victory over the English at the battle of Ancrum Moor on 21 September. The remnants of the English army fled south to Jedburgh, pursued by the allied armies. The town was liberated. The English commander surrendered and he and his troops were imprisoned in the castle gaol, and in Ferniehirst Castle, about three miles south of Jedburgh. (1)

Under the terms of the surrender signed on 23 September, private soldiers and non-commissioned officers surrendered their weapons, and marched south to the English border, escorted by Scottish soldiers.

(1) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferniehirst_Castle.

 

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The English commander and other commissioned officers were marched back to Edinburgh, escorted by Scottish troops. There they were put in prison to await trial for what were called crimes of war. All towns in the counties of Berwickshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire, and Selkirkshire still under English occupation, surrendered to the Scots in the last week of September 1669. The most important was Hawick. Now all of south-east Scotland was freed from English occupation.

 

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The war plan of the Scottish commander-in-chief, James Graham, Earl of Montrose, was to cross the border from Scottish controlled territory and liberate English occupied towns and villages in Dumfriesshire and south-west Scotland. On 9 October 1669, the Scottish army won the battle of Langholm and liberated the town. [1] French troops had returned to France.

[1] For Langholm see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langholm.

 

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The Scottish army advanced south from Langholm and captured the border village of Gretna Green on 13 October 1669. (1) English volunteers crossed the border and joined the Scottish army. It advanced west, but failed to capture Annan on 18 October. (2) It then turned north, but lost the battle of Ecclefechan on 21 October and retreated south-east to Gretna Green. (3)

The Scottish army then marched west again, but lost the battle of Annan on 26 October, the English army having been reinforced from English controlled Scotland. Sixteen English volunteers with the Scottish army were taken prisoner and hanged for treason in Annan town square. Scottish troops captured were imprisoned in Annan gaol. The English army chased the remnants of the Scottish army to Gretna Green, but failed to capture the village, and withdrew west on 30 October 1669.

(1) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gretna_Green.

(2) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annan,_Dumfries_and_Galloway.

(3) For Ecclefechan see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclefechan.

 

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The Scottish army advanced west from Gretna Green and liberated Annan from English occupation on 9 November 1669. The Scottish prisoners of war were freed from the town gaol. But they failed to capture Ruthwell on 12 November, and retreated to Annan. (1) The Earl of Montrose led his army north and took Ecclefechan, which was only lightly defended by English troops, on 17 November. Then the Scottish army turned south-west and captured Hoddom Castle on 21 November. (2) It continued south-west to Ruthwell which they liberated on 28 November. Two days later Comlongon Castle, about a mile and a half north-west of Ruthwell, surrendered to the Scottish army. (3) It was now only about six miles from Dumfries to the north-west.

(1) For Ruthwell see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruthwell.

(2) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoddom_Castle.

(3) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comlongon_Castle.

 

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The Scottish army advanced south-west from Comlongon Castle and captured Caerlaverock Castle on 7 December 1669, after a four day siege. (1) Then it marched north-west to Dumfries. (2) The battle of Dumfries on 12 December was a Scottish victory, and the town was liberated from English occupation. The English commander and senior officers were tried for waging a war of aggression. They were found guilty and hanged in the town square. The junior officers and rank-and-file soldiers were disarmed and escorted by Scottish troops to the English border.

(1) For Caerlaverock Castle see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caerlaverock_Castle.

(2) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumfries.