BattlefieldsHertford's First Raid — Burning of Edinburgh and Leith 1544
Tudor

Hertford's First Raid — Burning of Edinburgh and Leith 1544

1544
Midlothian, Scotland
Also known as: Sack of Edinburgh 1544 · Hertford's Edinburgh Raid · Burning of Leith 1544
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Midlothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (Edinburgh)
Forces
Edinburgh garrison c.500–1,000. Major English raid.
VS
Victor
England (Earl of Hertford)
Forces
English forces c.10,000–15,000
Outcome
English army of 16,000 landed at Leith; Leith burned; Edinburgh lower town sacked; castle held out; Holyrood burned; systematic devastation of the Lothians
The Battle

History & Significance

Henry VIII ordered the Earl of Hertford to devastate Scotland as punishment for Scottish refusal to ratify the Treaty of Greenwich, which would have betrothed the infant Mary Queen of Scots to Prince Edward. Hertford landed by sea, avoided the castle, and spent a week burning Edinburgh and the Lothians. The operation was meticulous — Hertford kept lists of everything destroyed. Holyroodhouse, the royal palace, was burned. The raid began the 'Rough Wooing', Henry's violent attempt to force a dynastic union.

Casualties & Losses

Extensive property destruction; some hundreds of Scots killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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