Western Association (Scotland) facts for kids

The Western Association was a group of soldiers and leaders from the southwest of Scotland. They came together to organize their military forces during a big conflict called the War of the Three Kingdoms. This was a time when England, Scotland, and Ireland were fighting among themselves.

Scotland's Troubles: Before the Association

In the 1640s, Scotland was divided. Many important people in the southwest didn't agree with a deal made in 1647. This deal, called The Engagement, was between some Scottish leaders, known as the Covenanters, and King Charles I.

There were two main groups of Covenanters:

• The Kirk party: They were against the Engagement.
• The Engagers: They supported the Engagement.

The Engagers won a battle against the Kirk party at battle of Mauchline Muir. After this, the Engagers sent an army to England to help the King's supporters in the Second English Civil War. But the Engager army was defeated badly at the Battle of Preston in August 1648.

This defeat made the Engagers look weak. So, the Kirk party in the southwest organized a quick uprising called the Whiggamore Raid. This led to the Engagers losing power after a short civil war.

After King Charles I was executed, Scottish groups changed their minds again. Some who had fought against Charles I now thought they should accept his son, Charles II, as King of Scotland. But only if he agreed to sign the Covenants, which were important agreements about religion and government.

When Charles II arrived in Scotland, it became clear that England would invade. The English feared Charles II would use Scotland as a base to attack the English Commonwealth, which was England's new government without a king.

Forming the Western Association

The Kirk party created the Western Association in 1648. They based it on similar groups in England. At first, it wasn't very active. But in 1650, when an English invasion seemed very likely, it became much more important.

On September 5, 1650, a special committee ordered three military leaders to go to the southwest. These leaders were Archibald Strachan, Gilbert Ker, and Robert Hackett. They were to take command of the Western Association and gather more soldiers.

Strachan had fought against the King's supporters in England earlier. He had also defeated the King's general, Marquess of Montrose, at the Battle of Carbisdale in April 1650. Strachan didn't support the Scottish King's cause.

Strachan had very strong opinions. He disagreed with a document called the Western Remonstrance. This document, written in Dumfries, said they shouldn't fight for Charles II unless he removed people from power who were banned by the Act of Classes (a law from 1649). Strachan believed that if the Scots completely rejected Charles II, the English army would just leave.

Because of his strong views, Strachan was removed from his command. Two of his officers were also dismissed. Strachan didn't want to give up his command at first. When he finally did, Gilbert Ker took over the army.

Cromwell's Strategy and the End

At this time, Oliver Cromwell, the English leader, was in a good position. He faced two Scottish armies that didn't agree with each other.

• The Resolutioners supported King Charles II.
• The Protesters (Act of Classes)|Protesters (or Remonstraters) were against the King.

Cromwell decided to focus on defeating the Western Association army first. This would secure his side, allowing him to then attack the Resolutioners' army.

Edinburgh Castle was still held by the Covenanters. So, Cromwell sent about 7,000 horse soldiers west. These were led by John Lambert. Their job was to watch Ker's movements.

The Scottish Parliament, meeting in Perth, learned about this on November 13. They sent Colonel Robert Montgomery with three regiments to help the Western Association army. They also asked him to take command.

Before Montgomery arrived, Ker decided to attack Lambert's English forces at Hamilton. Lambert's army was much stronger and ready for a fight. When the Scots attacked on December 1, at 4 AM, there was a short fight. Ker's forces were scattered, and he was wounded and captured.

The next day, the remaining soldiers of the Western Association in Ayrshire decided to break up. They chose not to follow Strachan and others who left to join the English army.

With their defeat at Hamilton and the loss of their main commanders, the Western Association stopped being an effective fighting force. This removed a threat to Cromwell's army. The English now controlled most of Scotland south of the Clyde and Forth rivers. Only Stirling and a small area around it remained in Scottish hands. Edinburgh Castle surrendered on December 24, leaving Stirling Castle as the last important Scottish fortress south of the Forth.

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