Chapter Five. Scottish Maritime Warfare In The British Civil Wars, 1638–1660

The time of the British Civil Wars (1638-1660) is probably one of the most researched periods of British and Irish history. This chapter discusses the important role played by Scandinavia in the history of Scottish maritime warfare, and the British Civil Wars were no different in this regard. Leslie's Northern English campaign in August 1640 took the opposition completely by surprise and altered the dynamic of power in the British Isles beyond recognition. The Covenanting leadership took measures to reinforce their position both militarily and diplomatically. The presence of Monro's army in Ireland resulted in the Scots remaining targets for Irish 'Confederate' privateers, especially those vessels attempting to bring over military supplies from Scotland. British and Irish shipping, sailing under licence from the Solemn League and Covenant, certainly faced difficulties from some of the continental powers.Keywords: British civil wars; Covenanting leadership; Monro's army; Scottish maritime warfare; Solemn league