BattlefieldsHamilton abortive sea landing 1639
English Civil War

Hamilton abortive sea landing 1639

1639
Scotland
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists
Forces
Covenanting shore forces
VS
Victor
Covenanters
Forces
Royalist fleet of 5,000 under Marquess of Hamilton
Outcome
Royalist force turned back without landing; Charles I's northern strategy failed
The Battle

History & Significance

The Marquess of Hamilton commanded a fleet of over twenty ships and 5,000 troops sent by Charles I to open a second front against the Covenanters by landing on the Firth of Forth. However, Hamilton hesitated and ultimately failed to land his army, deterred by the strength of Covenanting resistance on shore and the opposition of the local population. The entire expedition achieved nothing and the troops returned without landing.

Questions & Answers

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