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Discover one of Scotland’s most significant – and tragic – battles.
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The Conflict
In the summer of 1650, Oliver Cromwell invaded Scotland with a veteran army in the name of the English Parliament. The campaign turned old allies into new enemies, and opened the final bloody chapter of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
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The Armies
The Scots resisted Cromwell’s invasion with an army levied across the length and breadth of the country. Despite political turmoil and conflicted consciences, a huge national effort assembled a host which faced down the enemy for six weeks before Dunbar.
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The Battle
Before the dawn on 3 September 1650, the English army launched a surprise attack on the Scottish forces outside Dunbar. Defeat turned to disaster for the Scots as Cromwell secured his finest victory. Thousands of lives were lost; others changed forever.