Cromwell's war against the Scots began in July 1650 and ended in May 1652. The trigger was Charles II's landing in northern Scotland from the continent; the end came with the fall of the last of the Scottish Castles, Dunnottar to English conquest.

After an introduction establishing this as the last war between Scotland and England, the author discusses Charles' landing and Fairfax's resignation as commander-in-chief of the English republican army - both events occurred on the same day. He then addresses the causes of the war, after which the story continues chronologically, from Cromwell's invasion of Scotland, through the battle of Dunbar, and the slow establishment of the king's power over the Scottish government.

The Scots enjoyed a distinct military recovery after the Dunbar defeat, but their aims and those of the king were always at cross purposes. The king was intent on the invasion of England, the Scots on resistance to English conquest.

Finally, Cromwell's manoeuvres in the summer of 1651, and the English victory at Inverkeithing, allowed the king to invade England. This ended in another Scots defeat at Worcester. The removal of the Scots army to England meanwhile allowed the English under Monck to complete their conquest of Scotland.

Throughout, the political dimension, particularly in Scotland, is kept in view, but not so as to overwhelm the military events; their interdependence is always clear; In his conclusion to a very lively text the author comments on the relevance of these events to present Scottish situation.

John D. Grainger is an Anglo-Scot and an historian with a special interest in political and military affairs, ancient and modern.

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