One of the most remarkable items kept by Aberdeen City Archives – the Montrose Letter – will go on display at Provost Skene’s House this week to coincide with the 380th anniversary of the Battle of Justice Mills, sometimes known as the ‘Battle of Aberdeen’.
On 13 September 1644 over 100 Aberdonians suffered violent deaths when the town was ravaged by soldiers belonging to the Royalist army of James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose, the author of the letter. King Charles I’s Royalists were locked in a struggle with the staunchly Protestant Covenanting forces of the Scottish government. Aberdeen was in Covenanting hands at the time.
When Montrose’s force arrived on the outskirts of the town the Council sent a 2,000-strong army to oppose them. Montrose then put pen-to-paper. His letter was written in a hurried scrawl and in it he threateningly demanded the surrender of the town. The Provost and his officials, who were gathered to write a response at a house on The Green, refused to surrender. The Battle of Justice Mills commenced and in the three days that followed, the Royalist forces mercilessly pursued and terrorised the town’s inhabitants.
The Montrose Letter will be on display in the historic Provost Skene’s House Wednesday 4 - Sunday 8 September. On Saturday 7 September from 11am-4pm, visitors will have the chance to meet soldiers from the Royalist forces of the Marquis of Montrose and the Covenanter forces of Lord Burleigh in the Painted Gallery.
Cllr Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson, said, “The Montrose Letter is a unique survivor from the Battle of Justice Mills, providing a wonderfully tangible connection to this turbulent chapter in Aberdeen’s history. I encourage everyone to come along on Saturday to meet members of The Sealed Knot, the UK’s oldest re-enactment society. They will be bringing history to life at Provost Skene’s House, Aberdeen’s oldest surviving townhouse , which dates from 1545. Visitors will be able to see the 380-year-old Montrose Letter and meet soldiers from the Royalist forces of the Marquis of Montrose and the Convenanter forces of Lord Burleigh.”
Living history – The Battle of Aberdeen
Saturday 7 September, Provost Skene’s House, Marischal Square, 11am-4pm, free (drop-in)
See the Montrose letter and meet soldiers from the Royalist forces of the Marquis of Montrose and the Convenanter forces of Lord Burleigh in the Painted Gallery.
For Provost Skene’s house visiting information go to aagm.co.uk
Image caption:
Letter from James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose, to the Provost of Aberdeen, dated 13 September 1644, courtesy of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives