View source for Battle of Langside

{{Short description|Opening battle of the Marian civil war in Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Essay-like|date=August 2019}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2011}}
}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Battle of Langside
| partof            = the [[Marian civil war]]
| image             = Battlefield Monument - geograph.org.uk - 1098221.jpg
| image_size        = 250
| caption           = Monument erected to commemorate the Battle of Langside
| date              = 13 May 1568
| place             = [[Langside]] south of [[Glasgow]]
| result            = King's men victory
[[Mary, Queen of Scots]] exiled to England
| combatant1        = {{flagicon|Scotland}} [[James VI|King's men]]
| combatant2        = {{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Mary, Queen of Scots|Queen's men]]
| commander1        = [[James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray|Regent Moray]]<br />[[William Kirkcaldy of Grange|Kirkcaldy of Grange]]
| commander2        = [[Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll|Campbell of Argyll]]
| strength1         = about 4,000
| strength2         = about 6,000
| casualties1       = 1 killed, unknown casualties
| casualties2       = over 100 killed, unknown casualties
| campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox Mary, Queen of Scots feuds}}
| notes             = {{Infobox designation list
|embed = yes
| designation1            = UK Registered Battlefields
| designation1_date       = 14 December 2012
| designation1_number     = {{Historic Environment Scotland|num=BTL35|short=yes}}
}}
}}

The '''Battle of Langside''' was fought on 13 May 1568 between forces loyal to [[Mary, Queen of Scots]], and forces acting in the name of her infant son [[James VI]]. Mary’s short period of personal rule ended in 1567 in recrimination, intrigue, and disaster when, after her capture at [[battle of Carberry Hill|Carberry Hill]], she was forced to [[Act Anent the demission of the Crown in favour of our Sovereign Lord, and his Majesty's Coronation 1567|abdicate]] in favour of [[James VI]]. Mary was imprisoned in [[Lochleven Castle]], while her Protestant half-brother, [[James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray|James Stewart, Earl of Moray]], was appointed [[Regent]] on behalf of his nephew. In early May 1568 Mary escaped, heading west to the country of the Hamiltons, high among her remaining supporters, and the safety of [[Dumbarton Castle]] with the determination to restore her rights as queen. Mary was defeated and went into exile and captivity in England. The battle is generally considered the start of the [[Marian civil war]].

==Queen's Men==
[[Act Anent the demission of the Crown in favour of our Sovereign Lord, and his Majesty's Coronation 1567|Mary's abdication]] had not been universally popular, even among sections of the Protestant nobility, and news of her escape were widely welcomed. With an escort of fifty horse led by [[Claud Hamilton, 1st Lord Paisley|Lord Claud Hamilton]], she arrived in [[Lanarkshire]], soon to be joined by a wide cross-section of the nobility, including the Earls of [[Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll|Argyll]], [[Gilbert Kennedy, 4th Earl of Cassilis|Cassillis]], [[Andrew Leslie, 5th Earl of Rothes|Rothes]], and [[Earl of Eglinton|Eglinton]], the Lords [[Lord Somerville|Sommerville]], [[Lord Hay of Yester|Yester]], [[Lord Livingston|Livingston]], [[Lord Herries of Terregles|Herries]], [[Lord Fleming|Fleming]], [[James Ross, 4th Lord Ross|Ross]], numerous of the feudal barons, and their followers. Within a few days, Mary had managed to gather a respectable force of some 6,000 men.

==Mary at Hamilton==
Mary declared at [[Hamilton Palace|Hamilton]] that her abdication, and her consent to the coronation of James, had been extorted from her under duress.<ref>[[Robert Pitcairn (antiquary)|Robert Pitcairn]], [https://archive.org/details/memorialsoftra5100bannuoft/page/228/mode/2up ''Memorials of the transactions in Scotland'' (Edinburgh, 1836), p. 228]</ref> An act of council was then passed, declaring the whole process by which Moray had been appointed as Regent to be [[treason]]able.<ref>Jane E. A Dawson, 'Regent Moray and John Knox', Steven J. Reid, ''Rethinking the Renaissance and Reformation in Scotland'' (Boydell, 2014), 177.</ref> On 8 May a [[Contract|bond]] was drawn up by those present for her restitution, signed by eight earls, nine bishops, eighteen lords, twelve abbots, and nearly one hundred barons.<ref>Joseph Bain, ''Calendar State Papers Scotland'', vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), pp. 403–404 no. 650.</ref> Mary would later write that her enemies were only five miles away.<ref>[[Agnes Strickland]], ''Letters of Mary, Queen of Scots'', vol. 1 (London, 1842), p. 83.</ref>

[[Robert Melville, 1st Lord Melville|Robert Melville]] brought a [[jewels of Mary, Queen of Scots|diamond ring, and four or more brooches]] to Mary at Hamilton. She gave the brooches to her supporters. The ring, with a heart shaped diamond, had been a gift from [[Elizabeth I]] with a promise of help. Mary asked her servant John Beaton to carry the ring back to Elizabeth.<ref>William Boyd, ''Calendar State Papers Scotland'', vol. 4 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 616 no. 728.</ref>

==Mary's march and Moray's response==
It was Mary's intention to avoid battle if possible, retiring instead to [[Dumbarton Castle]], still held for her by [[John Fleming, 5th Lord Fleming]]. Here she would be in a virtually impregnable position, well placed to receive the expected reinforcements from the north, and then recover her hold over the country by degrees. With the intention of by-passing Moray she marched to [[Rutherglen Castle]] meeting loyal supporters and then on a wide circuit past Glasgow, intending to move by way of [[Langside]], [[Crookston, Glasgow|Crookston]], and [[Paisley, Renfrewshire|Paisley]] back towards the [[River Clyde]], and then on to Dumbarton on the north side of the Clyde estuary.

Moray drew up his army on the moor close to the village of Langside, then several miles south of Glasgow but now well within the city. [[William Kirkcaldy of Grange|Kirkcaldy]], observed that Mary's force was keeping to the south of the River Cart, the Regent's army being on the opposite bank. He ordered hackbutters ([[musketeer]]s), mounted behind each of his horsemen, to cross the river. They took up positions among the cottages, hedges, and gardens of the village, on each side of a narrow lane, through which Mary's army must [[defile (geography)|defile]]. Meanwhile Moray continued to deploy the rest of the army, the [[Vanguard (military tactics)|vanguard]] under the command of the [[James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton|Earl of Morton]] leading the march across a nearby bridge. The whole army then deployed the right around the village. No sooner was this complete than the Queen's vanguard, commanded by Lord Hamilton, began its advance through the village. The battle was now under way.

==Guns and pikes==
Mary's army was commanded by Argyll, who was to show little in the way of real military skill, seemingly hoping simply to push Moray aside by sheer force of numbers. [[George Buchanan]] wrote that Argyll fainted at one point, though this is almost certainly a rumour spread by his enemies.<ref>George Buchanan, ''History of Scotland'' (Glasgow, 1827), p. 535.</ref> With her army now engaged, the Queen stood half a mile distance to the rear,<ref>Joseph Bain, ''Calendar State Papers Scotland'', vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), p. 406 no. 655.</ref> close to Cathcart Castle on a mound since named as the Court Knowe. As Hamilton attempted to force a passage through Langside he was met by close fire from Grange's hackbutters.  Many in the front ranks were killed, throwing the remainder back on those following, and adding to the general confusion.  Hamilton pushed on, finally reaching the top of a hill, only to find the main enemy army drawn up in good order. Morton with the border pikemen advanced to intercept Mary's vanguard.  Both sides now met in '[[push of pike]]'. According to [[James Melville of Halhill]] the forest of inter-locked spears was now so thick that staves and discharged pistols thrown at the enemy simply rested on the shafts rather than falling to the ground.<ref>Alexander Malcolm Scott, ''The Battle of Langside'' (Glasgow, 1885), p. 88.</ref>

Grange, whom Moray had allowed considerable leeway, continued to act with courage and distinction. According to James Melville, "the Regent committed unto the laird of Grange, the special care, as an experienced captain, to oversee every danger, to ride to every wing and encourage and make help where the greatest height was".<ref>Alexander Malcolm Scott, ''The Battle of Langside'' (Glasgow, 1885), p. 88.</ref> The battle was now at its height and the outcome still doubtful, until Grange saw that the right wing of the Regent's army – consisting of the barons of [[Renfrewshire]] – was beginning to lose ground.  He immediately galloped to the main battalion and brought reinforcements.  This was done so effectively, and the counter-attack pressed with such force, that it broke the enemy ranks.  Moray, who hitherto had stood on the defensive, repulsing Mary's cavalry, now charged at the main enemy battalion, the fight now joined all along the line.  The Queen's men crumbled, the fugitives being closely pursued by a party of Highlanders.  The Battle of Langside, which had lasted for some forty-five minutes, was over.

==Aftermath==
Langside was a colossal defeat for Mary. Only one of Moray's men was killed, whereas over 100 of Mary's men were lost, a figure that almost certainly would have been much higher but for Moray's decision to avoid further bloodshed by ordering a halt to the pursuit. Over 300 of Mary's men were taken prisoner, including [[George Seton, 7th Lord Seton|Lord Seton]] and Sir James Hamilton and many of his followers. Mary and her escort rode off, first trying to reach Dumbarton Castle, but then turning south, eventually arriving at [[Dundrennan Abbey]]. From here she left for England, never to see Scotland again.<ref>Fraser, Antonia, ''Mary Queen of Scots'', Orion, London, 1969</ref>

Mary crossed the [[Solway Firth]] to [[Workington]] on 16 May 1568 at night with twenty companions. This unexpected event provoked a dispute amongst the English border officials. She stayed her first night at the house of [[Henry Curwen (1528–1596)|Heny Curwen]].<ref>[[Agnes Strickland]], ''Lives of the Queens of Scotland'', vol. 6, pp. 105–107.</ref> On the next day she moved to [[Cockermouth]] and was greeted by Richard Lowther, the deputy of [[Henry Scrope, 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton|Lord Scrope]] at [[Carlisle Castle]]. Lowther escorted Mary to [[Carlisle, Cumbria|Carlisle]] on 18 May. Meanwhile, the [[Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland|Earl of Northumberland]] who was at [[Topcliffe, North Yorkshire|Topcliffe]] heard the news from Workington, which was in his jurisdiction. The Earl obtained a letter of authority from the Council of the North at York to be the Scottish Queen's host and to "let none of them escape." When the Earl arrived at Carlisle on 22 May, Richard Lowther defied him, and the Vice-Chamberlain of England, [[Francis Knollys (the elder)|Francis Knollys]], upheld Lowther's actions.<ref>''Calendar State Papers Scotland'', vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), pp. 408–413</ref>

Over the next five years Mary's supporters in Scotland continued a [[Marian civil war|civil war]] with the Regents of Scotland.

==Queen and King's men==
A contemporary list of leading supporters on both sides at the battle survives.<ref>''Calendar of State Papers Scotland'', vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), p. 405 no. 653, TNA SP 52/15 f.28.</ref> From this list and other evidence, [[Gordon Donaldson]] analysed the allegiances of Scottish families during the 16th century to the cause of Mary, to English or French policy, and to the [[Scottish Reformation]], in his ''All the Queen's Men'' (Edinburgh, 1983).

'''For the Queen''':
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Earl of Argyll]]
* [[Earl of Eglinton]]
* [[Gilbert Kennedy, 4th Earl of Cassilis|Earl of Cassillis]]
* [[Andrew Leslie, 5th Earl of Rothes|Earl of Rothes]]
* [[George Seton, 7th Lord Seton|Lord Seton]]
* [[Robert Seton, 1st Earl of Winton|Master of Seton]]
* [[John Maxwell, 4th Lord Herries of Terregles|Lord Herries]]
* [[Robert Boyd, 5th Lord Boyd|Lord Boyd]]
* [[Lord Hay of Yester]]
* [[Lord Ross]]
* [[James Somerville, 6th Lord Somerville|Lord Somerville]]
* [[Claud Hamilton, 1st Lord Paisley|Lord Claude Hamilton]]
* Sir James Hamilton & the [[Clan Hamilton|Hamilton name]]
* [[Andrew Hamilton of Goslington]]
* [[Robert Lauder of the Bass (died 1576)]]<ref>with his sons John, Patrick & Charles, had a precept of remission for fighting at Langside, ''Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland'', vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1963), p. 102 no. 503.</ref>
* [[Robert Lauder of Popill]]<ref>Had a remission, with others of this family, for fighting at Langside, Margaret D. Young, ''The Parliaments of Scotland – Burgh & Shire Commissioners'', vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1993), p. 407.</ref>
}}
'''Killed on Queen's side''':
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* Captain Stewart, tutor of [[Castlemilk]]

* The Goodman of Ormeston, Hamilton
* John Hamilton of Milburn
* John Hamilton of Leprevick
* James Hamilton of [[Dalserf]]
* John Hamilton of Garen
* 60 to 80 gentleman of the Hamilton name, and others
* A brother of the laird of Lamberton.
}}
'''For Regent Moray and the King''':
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton|Earl of Morton]]
* [[Alexander Cunningham, 5th Earl of Glencairn|Earl of Glencairn]]
* [[Earl of Menteith]]
* [[Alexander Home, 5th Lord Home|Lord Home]]
* [[Patrick Lindsay, 6th Lord Lindsay|Lord Lindsay]]
* [[Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Ochiltree|Lord Ochiltree]]
* [[William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie|Lord Ruthven]]
* Laird of Trawick (sic), John Stewart of [[Traquair]]
* [[James Douglas, 7th Baron Drumlanrig|Laird of Drumlanrig]]
* [[William Maitland of Lethington|Lord Secretary Maitland]]
* [[Duke of Atholl|William Murray of Tullibardine]], Lord Comptroller
* [[Robert Pitcairn (commendator)|Robert Pitcairn]], [[Abbot of Dunfermline]]
* John Hay, [[Abbot of Balmerino]],
* [[Robert Richardson (Lord Treasurer)|Robert Richardson]], [[Lord High Treasurer of Scotland|Lord Treasurer]]
* [[James Balfour, Lord Pittendreich|Sir James Balfour]], Justice Clerk
* [[James MacGill of Nether Rankeillour]]
* [[Thomas Kennedy of Bargany]]
* Laird of [[Glengarnock]]
* [[Clan MacFarlane|Andrew MacFarlane, laird of MacFarlane with his Highlandmen]]
* Other great barons and Hamiltons
}}
'''Prisoners (taken by Regent Moray)''':
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* Lord Seton
* Master of Cassilis
* Lord Ross
* [[Earl of Eglinton|Master of Eglinton]]
* [[Sheriff of Ayr]]
* Sir James Hamilton (of Libberton)
* The two sons of [[John Hamilton (archbishop of St Andrews)|Archbishop Hamilton]]
* A son of [[Kilwinning Abbey|Lord Kilwinning]], Gavin Hamilton
* [[Alexander Hamilton of Innerwick|Laird of Innerwick]]
* James Heriot, laird of Trabroun
* Laird of Balwearie
* Laird of Preston younger
* Laird of Lauchop
* Laird of Mowe
* Laird of Irnok
* Laird of Camskeith
* Laird of Hahill
* Laird of Kneeland
* Laird of Greenschellis
* [[James Hamilton (assassin)|Goodman of Bothwellhaugh]]
* Goodman of Pardovan
* Many more Hamiltons and other gentlemen
}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* Bain, Joseph, ''Calendar of Scottish Papers 1563–1569'', Edinburgh, 1900.
* [[Antonia Fraser|Fraser, Antonia]], ''Mary Queen of Scots''Orion, London, 1969.
* Melville, Sir James, ''Memoirs of His Own Life, 1549–1593'', 1827.
* [[Patrick Fraser Tytler|Tytler, Patrick Fraser]] ''The History of Scotland'', vol. VII, 1840.
* Scott, Alexander Malcolm, ''The Battle of Langside MDLXVIII'', Glasgow, 1885.

==External links==
*[http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parks_Outdoors/HeritageTrails/Langside/ Langside Heritage Trail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420143154/http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parks_Outdoors/HeritageTrails/Langside/ |date=20 April 2008 }}
*[http://www.scotcities.com/cathcart/langside.htm Langside & Battlefield architecture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927005802/http://www.scotcities.com/cathcart/langside.htm |date=27 September 2011 }}  Features commemorative plaque of battle.
*[http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b105094409/f231.item A contemporary report of the battle in French] digitised by the [[Bibliothèque nationale de France]]
*{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=BTL35|desc=Battle of Langside}}

{{Coord|55.8277|N|4.27056|W|type:event_region:GB|display=title}}
{{Scottish clan battles|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1568 in Scotland]]
[[Category:Battles involving Scotland|Langside 1568]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1568|Langside]]
[[Category:Military history of Glasgow]]