BattlefieldsSecond Bishops War — Covenanting Army Crosses the Tweed at Coldstream 1640
English Civil War

Second Bishops War — Covenanting Army Crosses the Tweed at Coldstream 1640

1640
Berwickshire, Scotland
Also known as: Scottish army crosses into England 1640 · Coldstream Tweed crossing 1640
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Berwickshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Crown (England)
VS
Victor
Covenanters
Outcome
Covenanting army of c.20,000 under Leslie forded the Tweed at Coldstream and entered England
The Battle

History & Significance

The Covenanting crossing at Coldstream in August 1640 opened the Second Bishops War on English soil. It was the first time a Scottish army had invaded England since 1513. The crossing was swift and largely unopposed, demonstrating English military unpreparedness. It was from this point that the crisis truly became an English constitutional crisis, forcing Charles I to recall Parliament.

Forces Involved

Covenanting army c.20,000 under Leslie

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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