Battle of Langside

Battle of Langside
Part of the Marian civil war

Monument erected to commemorate the Battle of Langside
Date13 May 1568
Location
Langside south of Glasgow
Result Decisive King's men victory
Belligerents
Scotland King's men Scotland Queen's men
Commanders and leaders
Regent Moray
Kirkcaldy of Grange
Campbell of Argyll
Strength
about 4,000 about 6,000
Casualties and losses
1 killed, unknown casualties over 100 killed, unknown casualties
Designated14 December 2012
Reference no.BTL35

The Battle of Langside was fought on 13 May 1568 between forces loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots, and forces acting in the name of her infant son James VI. Mary’s short period of personal rule ended in 1567 in recrimination, intrigue, and disaster when, after her capture at Carberry Hill, she was forced to abdicate in favour of James VI. Mary was imprisoned in Lochleven Castle, while her Protestant half-brother, James Stewart, Earl of Moray, was appointed Regent on behalf of his nephew. In early May 1568 Mary escaped, heading west to the country of the Hamiltons, high among her remaining supporters, and the safety of Dumbarton Castle with the determination to restore her rights as queen. Mary was defeated and went into exile and captivity in England. The battle is generally considered the start of the Marian civil war.