Siege of Inverness (1650) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Inverness (1650)
Part of Wars of the Three Kingdoms (Scottish Civil War)
Inverness Castle in modern times. Some of the old curtain wall can be seen in the foreground, while the castle building itself was rebuilt in 1836
Date 1650 Location Inverness, Scotland Result Covenanters withstand the siege and Royalists are forced to retreat.
Belligerents
Scottish Royalists	Covenanters Clan Fraser of Lovat
Commanders and leaders
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose Lewis Gordon, 3rd Marquess of Huntly	Sir James Fraser
Strength
unknown	unknown
Casualties and losses
unknown	unknown

The Siege of Inverness in 1650 was a short battle during the Scottish Civil War. This war was part of a bigger conflict called the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. During the siege, a group called the Royalists tried to capture Inverness Castle. However, they were not successful.

The castle was defended by the Covenanters. These defenders were from the Clan Fraser of Lovat. They were led by a person named Sir James Fraser of Brea.

What Was the Siege of Inverness?

The Siege of Inverness was a military event in 1650. It happened in the town of Inverness, Scotland. This event was a small part of the larger Scottish Civil War.

Who Fought in This Battle?

Two main groups were involved in the siege.

• Royalists: These were people who supported King Charles II. They wanted the king to have more power. Their leader was James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. Lewis Gordon, 3rd Marquess of Huntly led the attack on Inverness Castle.
• Covenanters: These were people who supported the Scottish Parliament. They believed in a specific form of Protestantism. They wanted to limit the king's power. The Covenanters defending Inverness Castle were from the Clan Fraser of Lovat. They were led by Sir James Fraser.

Why Did the Siege Happen?

The siege happened because of the ongoing Scottish Civil War. This war was about who should have power in Scotland. It was also about religious beliefs. The Royalists wanted to take control of important places like Inverness Castle. This would help them win the war.

The Battle at Inverness Castle

In 1650, Lewis Gordon, leading the Royalist forces, attacked Inverness Castle. The castle was a strong fortress. It was held by the Covenanters.

How the Siege Ended

The Royalists tried to capture the castle. But the Covenanters inside fought hard. They managed to defend the castle successfully. The Royalists could not break through their defenses. Because of this, the Royalists had to give up their attack. They were forced to retreat from Inverness.

What Was the Outcome?

The Covenanters successfully defended Inverness Castle. This meant the Royalists failed to achieve their goal. The siege was a victory for the Covenanters. It showed that the castle was well-protected.