Cleanse the Causeway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cleanse the Causeway |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Clan Douglas |
 Clan Hamilton |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Earl of Angus Bishop of Dunkeld |
 Earl of Arran Patrick of Kincavil † James of Finnart |
||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| ca. 500 | ca. 500 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown. | 70-80 | ||||||
The fight known as Cleanse the Causeway happened in Edinburgh, Scotland, on April 30, 1520. It was a street battle between two powerful Scottish families: the Clan Hamilton, led by James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran, and the Clan Douglas, led by Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus. It took place on the High Street, a main road in Edinburgh.
Why Did the Fight Happen?
A Power Struggle in Scotland
This fight was caused by a big rivalry between the Hamilton and Douglas families. They were both very powerful noble groups in Scotland. They wanted to be the most influential after King James IV died in 1513.
King James IV died at the Battle of Flodden. This left a gap in power in Scotland. His son, King James V, was only a baby. Both the Douglases and the Hamiltons had connections to the royal family.
Who Was Who?
The Earl of Angus was married to Margaret Tudor. She was King James IV's widow and the mother of the young King James V. Margaret was also the sister of King Henry VIII of England.
The Earl of Arran was a cousin of the late King James IV. Both families wanted to have the most influence over the young King James V.
Regency and Rivalries
Scotland was being ruled by a "regent" at this time. A regent is someone who rules for a king or queen who is too young or unable to rule. The regent was John Stewart, Duke of Albany. But he had been in France since 1516.
Without Albany, a council of important nobles and church leaders shared power. Arran and Angus were both part of this council. Albany had also added a French ally, Antoine d'Arcy, to the council. He hoped d'Arcy would be a neutral person.
Trouble with the Homes
However, Antoine d'Arcy was killed in September 1517. This happened because of a feud with the Home family. The Douglases were allies of the Homes. This meant Angus was also involved in the trouble.
Killing a French noble caused a big problem with France. So, the council decided to make Arran their leader. Arran punished the Homes. He took their lands and castles. He also had a senior Home family member executed. Angus's brother, George Douglas of Pittendreich, was put in prison.
Angus and the Queen
Angus and his wife, Queen Margaret, had problems in their marriage. But they had made up in 1516. Angus then gained control over her and her money. Queen Margaret tried to use her influence with her brother, King Henry VIII, and Arran to improve her situation.
Arran's Ambitions
Arran wanted to stop Angus from controlling King James V. He wanted to become the regent himself. He was the closest blood relative to the late King James IV.
Arran was also the leader of Edinburgh since 1517. But he had upset the people of Edinburgh in 1519. This was over a dispute about selling wood from a Dutch ship. Edinburgh had rights over the port of Leith. But Arran sided with the Leith merchants. This made him lose the support of Edinburgh's citizens. Because of this, the citizens supported Angus during the fight.
The Fight on the High Street
Getting Ready for Battle
Arran entered Edinburgh with about 500 armed men. He stayed at the house of the Archbishop of Glasgow. His plan was to arrest Angus. But Angus also had about 500 armed followers. He was at his house on the other side of the High Street.
Tensions were very high. A Douglas follower had recently attacked some Hamiltons. He killed five of them and took their horses. Both sides were ready to fight. But neither wanted to start it.
A Bishop's Plea
Angus heard about Arran's plan to arrest him. He sent his uncle, Gavin Douglas, who was a Bishop, to talk to Arran. The Bishop asked them not to start violence. He said Angus would follow the law.
The Bishop found Arran and his men ready for battle. Even the Archbishop of Glasgow was wearing armor under his robes. The Bishop returned to Angus with the news. Then he went to his own rooms to pray.
The Battle Begins
Angus gathered his followers near the Netherbow Port. Many citizens of Edinburgh joined him. They wanted revenge against Arran. People watching from their windows even passed down weapons to Angus's men.
The narrow side streets of Edinburgh were blocked. This was to protect Angus's men and stop enemies from escaping. Some stories say Arran blocked the streets to trap the Douglases.
The Hamiltons started the attack. Arran's half-brother, Patrick Hamilton of Kincavil, led the charge. But he was quickly killed, supposedly by Angus himself. A bloody street fight began.
"Cleanse the Causeway!"
The Douglases gained the upper hand. They shouted "Cleanse the Causeway!" This meant to clear the street of their enemies. They pushed the Hamiltons back. About 70 to 80 Hamiltons were killed. The street was covered with wounded men.
Near the end of the fight, 800 more Douglas men arrived. They were led by Angus's brother, William Douglas.
Escape and Aftermath
Arran and his son, James Hamilton of Finnart, managed to escape. They fought their way through the crowd. They ran down a narrow street to the marshy area near the Nor Loch. They stole a horse and rode across the shallow water to safety.
After the fight, the Douglases controlled Edinburgh. Angus sent out trumpeters. They offered safety to any remaining Hamiltons if they left the city. About 800 Hamiltons left.
What Happened Next?
Revenge and Return
Among the Hamiltons who died was John, Master of Montgomery. The Archbishop of Glasgow ran to his church. The victorious Douglases found him there. But Gavin Douglas, the Bishop, saved him. The Archbishop was allowed to escape on foot.
The Hamiltons tried to get revenge. They attacked Dean Castle, which belonged to a Douglas ally. But they could not capture it.
Albany's Return
The rivalry between the Douglases and Hamiltons continued. But then Regent Albany returned from France the next year. He took control of Scotland and the young king again.
Albany quickly accused Angus of treason. He sent Angus away to France. Arran was put back on the regency council in 1522.
New Alliances
In 1524, Arran and Queen Margaret managed to remove Albany from power. They declared the 12-year-old King James V to be old enough to rule.
In 1525, Angus returned with help from King Henry VIII of England. He forced his way back onto the council. He took control of King James and ruled for him.
The power struggles continued. Eventually, Angus and Arran formed an unexpected alliance. Arran even led Angus's forces in the Battle of Linlithgow Bridge in 1526. They fought against Queen Margaret's supporters.
