Dunbar, battle of

views updated May 14 2018

Dunbar, battle of, 1650. Dunbar was Cromwell's greatest victory, won against severe odds. After the execution of his father, Charles II's hopes rested with his supporters in Scotland, and he arrived there in July 1650. Cromwell followed him three weeks later, advancing up the east coast from Berwick. The royalist army was led by David Leslie, who had fought alongside Cromwell at Marston Moor. On 2 September Cromwell's army, weakened by sickness, was bottled up at Dunbar, Leslie, with twice his numbers, having cut off his retreat. Evacuation by sea appeared the wisest move. Cromwell chose to attack the following day and, with very light casualties, destroyed Leslie's force, taking 10,000 prisoners—almost the size of his own army. ‘God made them as stubble to our swords,’ Cromwell reported to Parliament.

J. A. Cannon

Dunbar, battle of

views updated May 23 2018

Dunbar, battle of, 1296. In 1292 Edward I found in favour of the claim of John Balliol as king of Scotland. Three years later, relations between the two had broken down and Balliol formed an alliance with France. In the spring of 1296 Edward invaded and captured Berwick. Moving up the coast he laid siege to Dunbar. A relieving army was defeated on 27 April by John de Warenne and the castle capitulated. Edward then proclaimed himself king of Scotland, called a Scottish Parliament at Berwick, and removed the stone of Scone to England.

J. A. Cannon

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