BattlefieldsEdinburgh Castle — Mine and Counter-Mine 1572-1573
Tudor

Edinburgh Castle — Mine and Counter-Mine 1572-1573

1572
Scotland
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Marian garrison counter-miners under Edinburgh rock
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
King's party miners
Outcome
Garrison counter-mine disrupted besiegers' mining operations; castle held longer as result
The Battle

History & Significance

During the long siege of Edinburgh Castle both sides engaged in underground warfare — the besiegers attempting to mine under the castle walls and the garrison counter-mining to collapse the attackers' tunnels. The mining operations on the approach to the Half Moon Battery were among the most technically ambitious of the siege. The counter-mine successfully broke into the besiegers' tunnel and drove them out, delaying the final assault for months.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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