The Battle of Bothwell Bridge was fought - On this day in history

On 22 June 1679 government forces clashed with Presbyterian Covenanters at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, close to Glasgow. Although the number of men fighting on each side was roughly equal, the Presbyterians were disorganised, poorly armed and riven by internal disputes.

They were forced to flee the site of the battle, which centred on a bridge across the Clyde, with 1,200 taken prisoner. 250 of the prisoners were later shipwrecked on their way to prison in London.

The battle features in fictional form in Sir Walter Scott's novel Old Mortality.

QUICK LINK: Five Covenanter prisons you can visit