Battle of Knock Mary facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Knock Mary
Part of the Scottish clan wars
Drummond Castle, near to the site of where the battle began
Date 1511 Location Knockmary near Crieff, Scotland grid reference NN8503523453 Result Drummond/Campbell victory
Belligerents
Clan Murray	Clan Drummond Clan Campbell
Commanders and leaders
Murray of Auchtertyre	William Drummond
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
120-160 in church	Unknown

The Battle of Knockmary was a fight between Scottish clans. It is also called the Battle of Rottenreoch. This battle happened in 1511, or possibly 1490. It was fought near Crieff, Scotland. The main groups involved were Clan Murray against Clan Drummond and Clan Campbell.

Why the Battle Started

A Debt and a Fight

In 1511, or maybe 1490, the Murray clan from Ochtertyre took cattle. They took them from the Drummond clan of Strathearn. This was to pay a debt owed to the Abbot of Inchaffray.

William Drummond, whose father was the 1st Lord Drummond, was very angry. To get revenge, he decided to attack the Murrays. This started the conflict between the clans.

The Battle Begins

First Clashes at Knock Mary

The two clans first met at a place called Knock Mary. This is a hill near the River Earn, close to Drummond Castle. At the start of the battle, the Murrays seemed to be winning.

Help Arrives for Drummond

But then, more fighters arrived. These were Campbells from Dunstaffnage, led by Duncan Campbell. Other groups, like the McRobbies and Faichneys, also joined. They came to help the Drummonds.

Duncan Campbell had a strong reason to fight the Murrays. The Murrays had recently killed two of his brothers-in-law and his father-in-law. His father-in-law was Drummond of Menie. The arrival of these extra fighters changed the battle.

The Cairn of Rottenreoch

People used to believe that those who died in this battle were buried in a stone pile. This pile is called the cairn of Rottenreoch. It is just north of Knock Mary. However, this cairn is actually a very old Neolithic burial site. It was built long before the battle.

The Church Fire

Murrays Seek Shelter

After losing the battle, the Murrays ran away. They crossed the River Earn. They found safety in the Kirk (church) of Monzievaird. This church was about a mile north of the river.

A Fatal Arrow Shot

William Drummond was ready to let the Murrays go. But as Duncan Campbell was leaving, something terrible happened. An arrow was shot from the church. It hit and killed one of Campbell's men.

Revenge and Tragedy

Campbell was furious about his man being killed. In revenge, the church was set on fire. Everyone inside died in the flames. Reports say between 120 and 160 Murrays were killed. This sad event became known as the Massacre of Monzievaird.

What Happened Next

Drummond's Arrest

After the fire, William Drummond was arrested. He insisted that his clan had nothing to do with burning the church. Despite his protests, he was taken to Stirling.

Punishment for the Fire

William Drummond was executed in Stirling. Many of his friends were also executed. This was the punishment for the terrible fire at the church.

Gallery

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  Looking towards the site, of the battle on the hill of Knock Mary

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  A path inside Knock Mary

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  The once rumoured burial place of the battle, the cairn of Rottenreoch

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  The site of the ensuing massacre at the Church of Monzievaird, near Hosh