The 1559 Siege of Leith

A Crucial Chapter in Scottish History

The Siege of Leith, a pivotal chapter in the Scottish Reformation, stands as a defining moment that reshaped Scotland's religious and political landscape. This historical episode was not just a military confrontation; it was a turning point that influenced the future course of the nation.

The origins of the Siege of Leith are deeply rooted in the religious upheaval of 16th-century Scotland. The Reformation, a sweeping movement across Europe, had found a fiery advocate in John Knox. His return to Scotland in 1559 had ignited a Protestant uprising, leading to widespread destruction of Catholic monasteries and churches. In response, the French, staunch allies of the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, fortified Leith, transforming this port town into a bastion of Catholic resistance in a country veering towards Protestantism.