THE BATTLE OF NEWBURN FORD

The battle of Newburn Ford took place early on the morning of 28th August 1640. Some 4500 English troops had been dispatched to cover the ford at Newburn. On the south side of the river, close to the two adjacent crossings they had constructed two sconces where they planted artilleryand awaited the Scottish approach. But the forts were poorly sited and the Scots took up a commanding position on the rising ground to the north of the river from which the bombarded the forts and supporting cavalry. Their swift and destructive attack routed and defeated the ill prepared English troops.