William Kirkcaldy of Grange - The "Lang Siege"

The "Lang Siege"

After the murder of Regent Moray in January 1570, Kirkcaldy ranged himself definitely among the friends of the imprisoned queen. About this time he forcibly released one of his supporters from imprisonment, a step which led to an altercation with his former friend John Knox, who called him a murderer and throat-cutter. Defying Regent Lennox, Kirkcaldy began to strengthen the fortifications of Edinburgh castle, of which he was captain, and which he now held for Mary. As Kirkcaldy's activities began to antagonise the town council of Edinburgh, he arrested some leading burgesses on 29 April 1571, and the subsequent period has become known as the "Wars between Leith and Edinburgh." In May Kirkcaldy built fortifications in the town, on the Royal Mile and on St Giles Kirk. In October 1571 the town council established itself in Leith, and Kirkcaldy's men fortified Edinburgh by blocking the ends of streets and closes and burning houses on the outskirts of the city, such as Potterrow. The 'lang siege' of Edinburgh castle began in mid-October, when Regent Mar brought artillery from Dumbarton and Stirling Castle.

On 27 January, William's brother, James Kirkcaldy arrived at Blackness Castle with arms and money for the Queen's side, but the castle was besieged by Regent Morton, and James Kirkcaldy was captured. Early in 1573, Kirkcaldy refused to come to an agreement with Regent Morton because the terms of peace set out by the "Pacification of Perth" did not include a section of his friends.

After this, English troops and artillery arrived to help the Scots, and on 28 May 1573 the castle surrendered. Strenuous efforts were made to save Kirkcaldy from the vengeance of his foes, but they were unavailing; Knox had prophesied that he would be hanged, and he was hanged on the 3 August 1573.