November 28th , 1666
The Battle of Rullion Green took place on November 28, 1666, during a period in Scottish history known as the Pentland Rising. The battle took place near the Pentland Hills, in Midlothian, Scotland. It was the only significant battle of the Pentland Rising, a brief revolt by Covenanter dissidents against the Scottish government.
Sparked by opposition to the restoration of episcopalianism in the Church of Scotland, a Covenanter army under Colonel James Wallace was defeated by a government force led by Tam Dalyell of the Binns.
While casualties were relatively light, between 40 and 50 Covenanters were killed and up to 85 prisoners taken, many of whom were alleged to have been tortured. 36 were executed and others transported to Barbados, while unrest continued over the next two decades, culminating in the extended period of repression from 1679 to 1688 known as The Killing Time.
The conflict was part of the broader tensions between the Presbyterian Covenanters and the government forces in Scotland.
Background:
The Covenanters were a Presbyterian movement in Scotland that opposed interference in their religious affairs by the Stuart monarchy. Tensions escalated due to disputes over religious practices, and the Covenanters rebelled against the government’s attempts to enforce religious conformity.
The Pentland Rising:
In 1666, a group of Covenanters gathered in the Pentland Hills, southwest of Edinburgh, in protest against the government’s interference in Presbyterian worship. They were led by figures like Richard Cameron, a Covenanter minister. The Covenanters were armed and sought to resist what they perceived as religious persecution.
The Battle of Rullion Green:
As the Covenanters advanced towards Edinburgh, government forces, under the command of Sir Thomas Dalyell, were dispatched to suppress the rebellion. The two sides met at Rullion Green, near the village of Swanston.
The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the government forces. The Covenanters, poorly armed and outnumbered, suffered heavy casualties. Many were killed in the battle, and others were captured.
Aftermath:
Following the defeat at Rullion Green, the surviving Covenanters faced severe consequences. Many were executed, and others were imprisoned. The repression that followed the Pentland Rising was part of a broader pattern of conflict between the Covenanters and the government during the late 17th century in Scotland.
The Battle of Rullion Green is remembered as a significant event in the history of the Covenanters and their resistance against religious persecution and government interference.
