Battle of Linlithgow Bridge facts for kids

The Battle of Linlithgow Bridge was a fight that happened on 4 September 1526. It took place near the Scottish town of Linlithgow. This battle was part of a big power struggle in Scotland. Different powerful families wanted control over the young King James V.

About 10,000 men, led by the Earl of Lennox, fought against 2,500 men. These smaller forces were led by James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran. The area where the battle happened is now a special historic site. It is listed on the national Inventory of Historic Battlefields in Scotland.

Why the Battle Happened

The Battle of Linlithgow Bridge happened because of a power vacuum. This means there was no strong leader in Scotland. King James IV of Scotland had died in a battle in 1513. His son, James V, was only one year old.

So, Scotland was ruled by people called regents. These regents looked after the country until the king was old enough. First, his mother, Margaret Tudor, was regent. She was the sister of King Henry VIII of England.

Later, John Stewart, 2nd Duke of Albany became regent. In 1525, Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, took control of young King James. Douglas was the king's stepfather. He kept James almost like a prisoner for three years. Douglas then ruled Scotland in the king's name.

King James's mother, Margaret, tried many times to free her son. One of these attempts led to the Battle of Linlithgow Bridge.

What Happened During the Battle

In 1526, Margaret convinced the Earl of Lennox to help her. Cardinal Beaton also supported her cause. Lennox gathered a large army of over 10,000 men. He marched towards Edinburgh from his base in Stirling.

Meanwhile, Archibald Douglas had gained the support of James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran. Arran was sent to stop Lennox's army. He gathered people from Linlithgow and the nearby areas. Arran placed his 2,500 men on Pace Hill. This hill was a strong defensive spot. It overlooked Linlithgow and the River Avon.

Lennox saw how strong Arran's position was. He had to change his plan. Lennox wanted to defeat Arran before Douglas arrived with more soldiers. The river was too deep to cross near the town. But Lennox's scouts found a shallow spot, called a ford. It was about 1 mile (1.6 km) upstream, near Manuel Convent.

Lennox forced his army to cross the river there. He then moved to attack Arran's side. However, Arran quickly saw the danger. He moved his troops to face south along the ridge of Pace Hill. Lennox's attack was difficult. His men had to cross the Avon, go over muddy ground, and then climb uphill.

Even with these challenges, Lennox almost won. He nearly pushed back Arran's smaller army. But time ran out for Lennox. Douglas's reinforcements arrived from Edinburgh. King James, who was with Douglas, also arrived.

Many of Lennox's men were killed. Some died on the ridge, others along the River Avon. The Earl of Glencairn was captured. Lennox himself was wounded. It is said that Lennox surrendered. But then he was murdered by James Hamilton of Finnart. A stone monument, called a cairn, marks the spot where Lennox was killed. It stands at the entrance to the Kettilstoun estate.

What Happened After the Battle

After the battle, King James remained under Archibald Douglas's control. This continued until 1528. By then, James was sixteen years old. He managed to escape from Edinburgh. He joined his mother in Stirling. There, he finally took control of the government himself.

Douglas and his family lost their lands. He was forced to leave Scotland and find safety in England. King James continued to rule Scotland until he died in 1542.