BattlefieldsBattle of Solway Moss 1542
Tudor

Battle of Solway Moss 1542

1542
Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Also known as: Solway Moss 1542 · Scottish rout at Solway Moss
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (Oliver Sinclair / Scottish army)
Forces
English border force c.3,000 under Thomas Wharton
VS
Victor
England (Thomas Wharton)
Forces
Scottish army c.10,000-18,000
Outcome
A Scottish army of 10,000-18,000 collapsed without significant fighting on the boggy ground of Solway Moss; c.1,200 captured including numerous nobles; few killed
The Battle

History & Significance

One of the most humiliating military defeats in Scottish history — an army perhaps three times the size of the English force simply fell apart. James V had sent Oliver Sinclair as commander; the Scottish nobles refused to fight under a royal favourite of low birth. The army became mired in the boggy moss and surrendered wholesale. James V, already ill, received news of the defeat and that his wife had given birth to a daughter — Mary. He turned his face to the wall and died saying his dynasty had come with a woman and would go with a woman. Mary Queen of Scots was six days old.

Casualties & Losses

c.20 killed; c.1,200-3,000 captured

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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