The Battle Joined and the Death of Lennox
So how come a force of some 5,000 men could take on and beat a force twice their size? We can only assume Arran took full advantage of the terrain and timed his attack to perfection coming off the hill just as the Lennox attack was faltering. Coupled with the fact that the arrival of Angus's men was well announced and well controlled meant that he gained maximum effect with the introduction of fresh troops. We must also serioulsy consider the moral of the Lennox troops and their willingness to fight. Despite their superior numbers they were beaten back. Was this because very few were willing to lay down their lives for a cause they didn't quite understand or believe in? Were they reticent to fight against fellow Scots in order to further their lairds' political aspirations? Lennox was wounded and then captured. Pitscotie then tells us that he was led to a point behind the lines where he handed his sword to the Laird of Pardovan another of the Hamilton family whom he recognised and trusted. It was then that James Hamilton of Finnart stepped forward and cut Lennox down. Finnart then mercilessly led the pursuit hacking down all that came within sword reach.
'the stoutest man, the hardiest man that ever was bred in Scotland was slain today' before laying his cloak over the body and posting a guard. Wood went off in search of Glencairn who he found wounded but still fighting with 30 of his men still by his side. Wood whisked Cunningham away to safety. We are not told what happened to his men .
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