BattlefieldsEdinburgh Castle — Captain Melville Sortie 1572
Tudor

Edinburgh Castle — Captain Melville Sortie 1572

1572
Scotland
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
King's party forces
Forces
King's party town forces
VS
Victor
Castle garrison (Melville)
Forces
Melville with c.200 castle garrison
Outcome
Castle sortie successful; King's men driven from upper town temporarily; supplies recovered
The Battle

History & Significance

Captain Melville led an aggressive sortie from Edinburgh Castle into the town below during the long siege, temporarily dispersing King's party troops and seizing supplies. The sortie demonstrated the tactical initiative of the castle garrison and the difficulty of maintaining a close siege against a determined defender with easy access to the upper town. Melville's reputation as an aggressive tactician made him one of the notable military figures of the civil war period.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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