Battle of Carberry Hill

Part of Mary, Queen of Scots Civil War

Commemorative Stone at Carberry marking the site of the conflict

Date	15 June 1567
Location	Carberry Hill, near Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland
Result	Victory for opponents of Mary, Queen of Scots

Belligerents

Forces loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots

Forces opposed to Mary, Queen of Scots

Commanders and leaders

James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell

William Kirkcaldy of Grange

Strength

2,000 including;
200 musketeers
300 pikemen

2,000

Casualties and losses

Unknown

The Battle of Carberry Hill took place on 15 June 1567, near Musselburgh, East Lothian, a few miles east of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. A number of Scottish lords objected to the rule of Mary, Queen of Scots after she had married the Earl of Bothwell, who was widely believed to have murdered her previous husband Lord Darnley. The Lords were intent to avenge Darnley's death. However, Bothwell escaped from the stand-off at Carberry while Queen Mary surrendered. Mary abdicated, escaped from prison, and was defeated at the battle of Langside. She went to exile in England while her supporters continued a civil war in Scotland.

In May 1567 Queen Mary of Scotland married James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. Many of the Queen's allies who previously supported her including Maitland, Morton, Balfour, and Murray of Tullibardine disapproved of this and chose to oppose her. Many of the same Lords who claimed disapproval in June, had signed the Ainslie Tavern Bond only two months earlier in April, pledging support for the marriage.

In April, Bothwell, along with several others, had been accused of Lord Darnley's murder. Bothwell was acquitted of the charge. His chief prosecutor, Lord Darnley's father, the Earl of Lennox, failed to appear at the trial despite multiple summons. His 3000 troops were turned back when confronted by the Duke, Lord Bothwell's 4000 and then Lennox chose not to appear. Scottish law of the time prohibited an accuser from bringing armed troops to trial. Many Scottish nobles disputed the trial verdict, and James Murray, brother of the Laird of Tullibardine offered to duel with Bothwell or prove the guilt of the King's murder on Bothwell's henchmen. Despite this very public dissent, Mary made Bothwell the Duke of Orkney and Marquis of Fife on 12 May 1567, then married him three days later. On 11 June 1567 Bothwell's enemies assembled in armour in Edinburgh, with a printed proclamation of their intention to deliver the Queen and revenge the King's murder and preserve the Prince.

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Wikipedia