BattlefieldsFirst Bishops War — Skirmish at Bridge of Dee Aberdeen 1639
English Civil War

First Bishops War — Skirmish at Bridge of Dee Aberdeen 1639

1639
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Also known as: Bridge of Dee Aberdeen 1639 · Montrose forces the Dee crossing 1639
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Gordon royalists
Forces
Gordon garrison at bridge
VS
Victor
Covenanters (Montrose)
Forces
Covenanters c.1,500 under Montrose
Outcome
Montrose stormed the Bridge of Dee held by Gordon forces after repeated assaults; Gordons withdrew; Aberdeen opened to Covenanters
The Battle

History & Significance

The Bridge of Dee fight in June 1639 was one of the few actual combat actions of the First Bishops War. The Gordons held the ancient bridge with artillery. Montrose battered and outflanked them after three days, forcing the crossing and the submission of Aberdeen. It demonstrated that even when the main armies faced each other in stalemate at Duns Law, fighting was occurring elsewhere in Scotland.

Casualties & Losses

Light on both sides

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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