Battlefields›Battle of Pinkie Cleugh
Tudor

Battle of Pinkie Cleugh

1547
Midlothian, Scotland
Also known as: Battle of Pinkie · Black Saturday
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Midlothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (Arran)
Forces
c.25,000 Scots (Arran); English combined arms victory
VS
Victor
England (Somerset / Protector)
Forces
c.23,000 English (Somerset)
Outcome
Decisive English victory; Scotland's worst defeat since Flodden; called "Black Saturday"
The Battle

History & Significance

England's most complete military victory over Scotland. The English used cannon, cavalry, and naval gunfire to destroy the Scottish army. Called "Black Saturday" in Scotland. The defeat paradoxically brought France closer — France sent troops and betrothed Mary Queen of Scots to the Dauphin, deepening the Franco-Scottish alliance.

Casualties & Losses

c.6,000–14,000 Scots killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Pinkie Cleugh

Rectilinear enclosure 80m SW of Kilronan
Scheduled monument · ~3 miles
Elginhaugh,Roman camp,native fort and palisaded enclosure 600m NE of
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~3.1 miles
Choir of St Nicholas' Collegiate Church, Dalkeith
Scheduled monument · ~3.1 miles
Melville Grange,homestead and pit alignments 600m ESE of
Scheduled monument · ~3.1 miles
Elginhaugh,Roman fort,annexe and bathhouse 200m NE of
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~3.2 miles
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Henry Tudor's March — Dale to Bosworth
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Skirmish at Welshpool during Henry Tudor March 1485
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