With the government and Argyll fled into England, Montrose made peace with the local noblemen and burghs. But fate and the self- interest of his supporters deserted him with his Gordon soldiers leaving in a huff, and the Irish left to go and settle some more old scores with the Campbells.

Thus weakened, his luck ran out at Philiphaugh in September, 1645, where lacking good intelligence he was routed by David Leslie and the Covenanter Army. Montrose fled to exile on the Continent to return over four years later in support of Charles II, but he ended his life on the gallows in Edinburgh.

Meanwhile the alliance was under strain with the Scots complaining that the promised monies for the army was much delayed, its needs were not being met and the hope of religous uniformity was fading. The English Parliamentarians saw Scottish forces being withdrawn to meet Montrose and feared another deal with King Charles.

Elsewhere, Leven turned to towards Newark, the last surviving stronghold in the Midlands that Charles held. The seige began in November 1645 and was still in progress on May 5, 1646, when Charles made his way to surrender to the Scottish Army.

The Civil War was at an end leaving the hard line Covenanters once again in charge of Scotland. King Charles meanwhile was taken to Newcastle where he was held prisoner, much to his disgust.

On 24 July the Propositions, the final ultimatum of the Solemn League and Covenant, were put to the king. These required him to accept the Covenant, establish religious uniformity in Scotland and England, yield his partisan supporters and surrender control of the militia for twenty years.

The Scots wanted to get out of the alliance and to withdraw its army but the English Parliamentarians resolved that they could do as they wished with the king while he remained on English territory. This placed the Scots in a quandry as they either had to give up "their" king or face the might of the Independent's army -the New Army of Cromwell.

Thus practical considerations held the day with the Scots accepting (British pounds) 3400,000 in full discharge of their claim for arrears of pay etc. On February 3, 1647, half payment was made and on the same day Charles was handed over to the Parliament's Commissioners.

Here ended the Solemn League and Covenant. But there was yet more intrique to come - a split in the Covenanter ranks and another treaty with King Charles which would end with the Union of three countries and the Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell.

Meet the Author, Brian Orr, Researcher with The Guild of One Name Studies

Back to The Covenanters, Main Page

Part One: The Covenanters: Who Were They?
Part Two : The Kirk and its Impact on the People
Part Three : Tales of the Covenanters
Part Four : What's in a Name?
Part Five : The Sanquhar Declaration
Part Six : Covenanter Ships: The Eaglewing, The Crown and Henry & Francis
Part Seven : Female Covenanters: Execution by Drowning
Part Eight : Covenanter Prisons: Bass Rock and Dunnattor Castle
Part Nine : Greyfriars Kirk and the National Covenant
Part Ten : Battle of Rullion Green
Part Eleven : Rev. James Renwick, Martyr
Part Twelve : Presbyterians in Ireland
Part Thirteen: The Final Word on the Solway Martyrs
Part Fourteen: The Margaret Wilson Statue
Part Fifteen: After the National Covenant