BattlefieldsFirst Bishops War — Aberdeen Covenanting Confrontation 1639
English Civil War

First Bishops War — Aberdeen Covenanting Confrontation 1639

1639
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Also known as: Aberdeen Gordon confrontation 1639 · Covenanters enter Aberdeen 1639
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalist Gordons
Forces
Gordon royalists c.1,000
VS
Victor
Covenanters
Forces
Covenanters c.2,000 under Montrose
Outcome
Covenanting force under Montrose entered Aberdeen after brief confrontation with Gordon royalists; city submitted to Covenanting authority
The Battle

History & Significance

Aberdeen was the main royalist stronghold in Scotland in 1639, dominated by the Catholic Gordon clan under the Marquis of Huntly. Montrose led a Covenanting force north and briefly occupied the city after skirmishing. The submission of Aberdeen was strategically important as it isolated the northeast from providing a royalist base. The Gordons would later be the backbone of Montrose royalist campaigns in 1644-45.

Casualties & Losses

Small losses — brief confrontation at Bridge of Dee

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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