BattlefieldsMoray Assassination Aftermath — Linlithgow Skirmish 1570
Tudor

Moray Assassination Aftermath — Linlithgow Skirmish 1570

1570
West Lothian, Scotland
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
West Lothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
King's party
Forces
disorganised King's men after Moray's assassination
VS
Victor
Marian forces
Forces
Marian Queen's party c.2,000
Outcome
Marian forces briefly seized Linlithgow; King's party forced to reorganise regency
The Battle

History & Significance

The Regent Moray was assassinated at Linlithgow in January 1570 by James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh — shot from a window as he rode through the town. Hamilton escaped into France. Moray's death plunged Scotland into renewed civil war between the King's party (for James VI) and the Queen's party (for Mary). In the immediate aftermath government forces were thrown into confusion and Marian forces moved to seize Linlithgow and dominate the road between Edinburgh and Stirling.

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