Battle of Glasgow (1544) facts for kids

The Battle of Glasgow happened on 16 March 1544. It was a fight between Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox and the Scottish leader James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran. This battle took place when Mary, Queen of Scots was still a child. Another smaller battle also happened in Glasgow in May 1544, known as the Battle of the Butts.
Why the Battle Happened
The Earl of Lennox and Earl of Glencairn wanted Mary, Queen of Scots to marry Prince Edward of England. However, the Scottish Parliament said no to this marriage. This refusal broke a peace agreement called the Treaty of Greenwich. Because of this, England declared war on Scotland. This war is now known as the Rough Wooing.
Lennox and Glencairn were seen as going against their own country. Lennox tried to explain himself to Mary of Guise, Mary Queen of Scots' mother. But the Scottish leader, Arran, had already ordered an attack on Glasgow. Cannons and guns were sent from Edinburgh Castle. Arran's forces first captured Bothwell Castle on 8 March. Lennox's men got ready for a fight at Glasgow Castle and the Cathedral. But Lennox himself stayed safe at his strong castle, Dumbarton Castle.
The Battle Itself
Arran's soldiers met Lennox's followers at Glasgow Muir (Moor). This was about a mile east of the town. Lennox's side had about 800 men. They started well, pushing Arran's first group of soldiers back and even capturing their cannons.
At this important moment, Robert Boyd and his friend Mungo Mure bravely charged into the fight. This helped Regent Arran's side win the battle. About 300 people were killed on both sides. Lennox went back to his safe place at Dumbarton Castle.
An English messenger reported that Arran then took control of Glasgow town. He also started to attack Bishop's Castle on 26 March. During the battle, Arran's main assistant was killed. A Glasgow doctor was hired to help the injured. A gunner named Hans Cochrane aimed the cannons at the cathedral and castle. When Lennox's soldiers gave up, structures to hang leaders were built in the street.
What Happened Next
After the battle, the Earl of Glencairn's oldest son, Alexander Cunningham, and Lennox's brother, Robert Stewart, escaped from Dumbarton Castle. They rode through the west of Scotland to England.
Robert Boyd was rewarded for his help in the battle. He got back his family's lands and their noble title, Lord Boyd.
Soon after this battle, in May 1544, an English army attacked and burnt Edinburgh. Around 24 May 1544, Regent Arran fought another battle on Glasgow Moor. This time, he fought against the Earl of Glencairn. Glencairn's son, Andrew Cunningham, was killed in this fight. Glencairn had to retreat. Lennox could not get Dumbarton Castle back after it was taken. So, he sailed to England around 28 May 1544.
Ten years later, many men who had fought on Lennox's side were forgiven. These included William Cunningham, Earl of Glencairn, and others like George Forrester and Robert Drummond.
Old Scottish Stories
Historians like John Lesley and Claude Nau wrote about the battle around 30 years later. They said that Regent Arran heard Lennox had left Glasgow and came with his army. Lennox had gone to Dumbarton Castle. The Earl of Glencairn and his men from Lennox, Renfrew, and Glasgow town met Arran's forces. This happened on Glasgow Muir, east of the town. After a long fight with many people killed, Regent Arran seemed to win.
Arran then entered Glasgow and attacked the Bishop's Palace and Cathedral. Lennox had placed his cannons there. The soldiers inside gave up, and 16 or 18 leaders were hanged. Lord Boyd convinced Arran not to destroy more buildings. Lennox tried to make a peace deal, but Arran imprisoned his messengers.
George Buchanan also wrote a short story about the battle. He said that while Lennox was away, Glencairn fought Arran's troops until Robert Boyd's charge. Buchanan mentioned that Arran's soldiers took parts of houses in Glasgow.
Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie wrote that Lennox hoped to rule Scotland but was upset with Cardinal Beaton. Lennox and the Earl of Bothwell were made to compete to marry Mary of Guise's mother. Pitscottie said Lennox made Glasgow stronger, and Arran brought cannons to attack him. He wrote that the battle happened on 28 March 1544 and the attack lasted 10 days. He added that the castle leaders were bribed with gold and then hanged. Pitscottie believed this was Cardinal Beaton's idea.
Some of these old stories match records from the time. For example, Lennox was indeed encouraged to think he might marry Mary of Guise. However, these stories from the 1500s often showed the writers' own political views.