BattlefieldsSiege of Dunbarton Castle 1571
Tudor

Siege of Dunbarton Castle 1571

1571
Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Also known as: Capture of Dunbarton Castle · Dumbarton Castle 1571
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Marian garrison
Forces
Marian garrison c.100–200.
VS
Victor
Regent Lennox / Captain Crawford
Forces
Regent/Crawford's force c.500–1,000
Outcome
Castle taken by surprise night escalade; Archbishop Hamilton captured and hanged
The Battle

History & Significance

Captain Thomas Crawford led a small force up the back of Dumbarton Rock at night by a secret path. The garrison was taken completely by surprise. Archbishop Hamilton of St Andrews — who had signed the Solemn League authorising Darnley's murder — was captured and hanged at Stirling within days. The castle's capture was a major blow to the Marian cause.

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