BattlefieldsBattle of Blairnamarrow 1582
Tudor

Battle of Blairnamarrow 1582

1582
Banffshire, Scotland
Also known as: Gordon-Forbes battle at Blairnamarrow
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Banffshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Forbes clan
Forces
c.300 Forbes
VS
Victor
Gordons (Huntly)
Forces
c.400 Gordons
Outcome
Forbes routed; the Forbes-Gordon feud continued with Forbes seeking alliance with Moray
The Battle

History & Significance

The Battle of Blairnamarrow was one of the major engagements in the Gordon-Forbes feud that dominated northeast Scotland through the sixteenth century. The Gordons under the sixth Earl of Huntly crushed a Forbes force in Strathavon. The Forbes-Gordon rivalry had deep religious dimensions — the Forbes embraced Protestantism while the Gordons remained Catholic. Blairnamarrow was the high watermark of Gordon military success in the feud.

Casualties & Losses

Forbes force heavily defeated

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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