BattlefieldsTranent Massacre anti-militia 1797
modern

Tranent Massacre anti-militia 1797

1797
Scotland
Era
modern
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Tranent mining community resisting the militia ballot.
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Cinque Ports Cavalry dragoons under Captain Finucane
Outcome
Twelve civilians killed. No soldiers prosecuted. The massacre inflamed anti-militia sentiment across Scotland and was raised in parliamentary debate as evidence of military excess.
The Battle

History & Significance

Dragoons of the Cinque Ports Cavalry charged crowds in Tranent who were resisting the Militia Act ballot. Soldiers pursued fleeing civilians into fields and houses, killing twelve people including women. The Tranent Massacre was one of the worst acts of government violence against civilians in modern Scottish history.

Questions & Answers

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