Chapter Six. The ‘scottish-Dutch’ Wars, 1665–1667 And 1672–1674

The Restoration of 1660 returned the Stewart monarchy to power throughout the British Isles and ended the enforced incorporating union between England, Scotland and Ireland. A significant problem arose in resolving some of the legal actions brought on by the Scottish-Dutch conflict in that renewed hostilities erupted before the appeals process was complete for all outstanding cases. Courts and committees in Scotland, England, the neutral states and the enemy nations all heard cases of loss, destruction and claims for compensation arising out of Scottish privateering actions. In the Scottish courts innovations were made by both the prosecution and defence teams which assembled to argue the outstanding cases. The High Court of Admiralty's robust attitude to neutral shipping and contraband cargoes was certainly confirmed by some key decisions, but was remarkably similar to decisions made against neutrals in the 1620s.Keywords: British Isles; Scottish-Dutch conflict; Stewart monarchy