Battles & Campaigns · 1645
Battle of Alford
Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK
What happened
Montrose waited on high ground until much of Baillie's army had crossed the River Don. Then Lord Gordon's cavalry broke the government horsemen. The Royalist cavalry returned to strike Baillie's infantry from the side and behind, and the government soldiers fled back across the ford.
Why it matters
Coming two weeks after Naseby, it was one of the few Royalist successes of the time and encouraged Charles I to keep fighting.
What came next
Montrose moved south and won again at Kilsyth in August.
Did you know?
The great-grandfather of the inventor James Watt fought in the government militia at Alford.
Timeline
- 9 May 1645Battle of Auldearn.
- 14 Jun 1645Battle of Naseby.
- 2 Jul 1645Battle of Alford.
- Aug 1645Battle of Kilsyth.