Battle of Langside

Queen’s Park in the south side of Glasgow is named for that tragic monarch who seemed to touch every area of Scotland – Mary Queen of Scots. This was the location of the Battle of Langside, a short but decisive fight which took place in May 1568. The battle marked the end of the most tumultuous 15 months of the young monarch’s reign.

In February 1567, Mary’s husband Lord Darnley had been murdered in Edinburgh, kicking off a remarkable chain of events. By July, Mary had been captured by her own nobles, imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle and forced to abdicate in favour of her son.

The Queen of Scots wasn’t finished though, she escaped and managed to attract the support of around 6000 men. Her own half-brother led the opposition, ruling as Regent on behalf of the infant James VI. Mary was trying to reach Dumbarton Castle, but the Regent managed to head them off, blocking her army at Langside just outside the boundary of 16th century Glasgow. The two sides were evenly matched until suddenly, the Queen’s army collapsed and she was forced to flee.

From Langside Mary escaped south, hoping for assistance from Elizabeth I of England. It was the worst decision she could have made. The former Queen of Scots would spend the rest of her life as an English prisoner before being executed 19 years later.