Battlefields›Confrontation at Duns Law 1639
English Civil War

Confrontation at Duns Law 1639

1639
Berwickshire, Scotland
Also known as: Muster at Duns Law · First Bishops War standoff
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Berwickshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Charles I)
Forces
Royalists (Charles I) c.15,000–18,000
VS
Victor
Covenanters
Forces
Covenanters c.20,000
Outcome
Scots muster overwhelming force at Duns Law; Charles signs Pacification of Berwick without battle
The Battle

History & Significance

The Covenanting army mustered 20,000 men on Duns Law and faced the royal army — superior numbers and discipline forced the King to negotiate rather than fight, ending the First Bishops War.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Confrontation at Duns Law 1639

Cairnbank, settlement 210m ENE of
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Duns Law,fort and Covenanters' Camp
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~0.5 miles
Dunsmill Farm, settlement 125m NNE of
Scheduled monument · ~1.1 miles
Preston Church, church and burial ground
Scheduled monument · Medieval · ~2 miles
Preston Market Cross, 35m ESE of 1 Preston Cottages
Scheduled monument · ~2.1 miles
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Teviotdale Clearing 1603
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