BattlefieldsBattle of Solway Moss
Tudor

Battle of Solway Moss

1542
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (Oliver Sinclair / poorly led)
Forces
c.500 English Border cavalry; Scots routed in confusion
VS
Victor
England
Forces
c.3,000 Scots
Outcome
English victory; Scottish army collapses without a fight
The Battle

History & Significance

A Scottish army of up to 18,000 men dissolved on the boggy ground of Solway Moss when the king's favourite Oliver Sinclair was announced as commander — the nobles refused to take orders from him and the army simply stopped fighting. The humiliation broke James V's spirit; he died three weeks later, aged 30, reportedly lamenting that his dynasty had come with a woman (Mary, Queen of Scots, born six days before his death) and would go with a woman.

Casualties & Losses

Few killed; c.1,200 captured

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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