BattlefieldsCromwellian garrison action at Leith 1650
English Civil War

Cromwellian garrison action at Leith 1650

1650
Midlothian, Scotland
Also known as: English occupation of Leith 1650 · Cromwell secures Edinburgh 1650
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Midlothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scottish Committee of Estates forces
Forces
Scottish rearguard and garrison forces
VS
Victor
England (Cromwell)
Forces
New Model Army under Cromwell
Outcome
After Dunbar, Cromwell secured Edinburgh and Leith with a series of skirmishes against Scottish rearguard and garrison forces
The Battle

History & Significance

After the catastrophic Scottish defeat at Dunbar in September 1650, Cromwell moved on Edinburgh. Scottish forces made several attempts to contest the city and its port of Leith. Small skirmishes occurred as the English cleared the defences. Edinburgh Castle held out until December 1650. The occupation of Edinburgh and Leith gave Cromwell control of Scotland's political capital and main port, though resistance continued in the north until Worcester in 1651.

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