BattlefieldsFirst Bishops War — Duns Law Muster 1639
English Civil War

First Bishops War — Duns Law Muster 1639

1639
Berwickshire, Scotland
Also known as: Covenanters at Duns Law 1639 · Leslie at Duns Law June 1639
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Berwickshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Crown (Charles I forced to negotiate)
Forces
Charles with c.15,000-20,000 English
VS
Victor
Covenanters
Forces
Covenanters c.20,000 on Duns Law
Outcome
Leslie entrenched Covenanting army on Duns Law overlooking English positions; Charles I unable to force passage; Pacification of Berwick negotiated
The Battle

History & Significance

The standoff at Duns Law in June 1639 was the military climax of the First Bishops War. Leslie positioned his army on high ground with the English army of Charles I unable to attack without catastrophic losses. The Pacification of Berwick ended the campaign with no territorial gain for the king and a tacit admission that he could not subdue Scotland by force. The second war followed within a year.

Casualties & Losses

None — standoff resolved by negotiation

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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