BattlefieldsBurning of Lethen and raid in Nairnshire 1645
English Civil War

Burning of Lethen and raid in Nairnshire 1645

1645
Nairnshire, Scotland
Also known as: Royalist-Covenanting reprisal raid Nairnshire 1645
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Nairnshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Covenanting tenants
Forces
Covenanting tenants/militia c.200–300.
VS
Victor
Royalists (Gordon cavalry)
Forces
Gordon cavalry c.400–600
Outcome
Pro-Covenant estate burned; punitive raid followed Auldearn battle
The Battle

History & Significance

After the Royalist victory at Auldearn in May 1645, Gordon cavalry under Montrose carried out punitive raids against Covenanting estates in Nairnshire and Moray. The burning of Lethen and surrounding farms was part of a deliberate policy to break the will of the Covenanting northeast. Such reprisals generated long-lasting bitterness and helped sustain the Covenanting cause after Montrose final defeat.

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