The Illustrative Galleries

The Siege of Tantallon, 1651

By Andrew Spratt

First is "Capitane Alexander Setton" and his "desperado gallants" in the outer ward of Tantallon in 1650,the second is Seton and his forces fleeing Cromwell with North Berwick Law in the background,the third shows the Scots trying to hold the outer trench infront of Tantallon's 'Ravelin' (V-shaped cannon platform)and the fourth shows Cromwell's men seizing the outer trench then digging towards the disabled Ravelin during the 12 day bombardment.

Captain Alexander Seton and his 'Desperado gallants' (moss troopers) defending Tantallon castle against Cromwell in 1651.

"I've got about six or seven reconstructions in an old folder somewhere showing the retreat of the Scots and the 12day bombardment when finally the garrison retreated to the top of the mid-tower".

 A shortened simplified translation reads:  '....Captain Alexander Setton defended the same gallantly;but after the enemy cannon had opened a very large breach,and filled the dry ditch with the wall,he entered it by storm. The Captain and these few men (which) were with him,betook themselves to (the) tower,and resolved to sell their lives as good as they could,if quarter should (be) denayed them;but the enemy seeing them stand gallantly to it,prefered them quarters,which they excepted.'