The Glencairn Uprising, 1653-54 Helen Baker Department of ...

It is clear that these rivalries were present from an early stage in the Glencairn
uprising. In August 1652, Charles II’s secretary, Nicholas, wrote that although
Glengarry had not the authority, military skill or wisdom to take command, he had no
intention of bowing before Middleton. Moreover, it appears that Glengarry believed
he should become the Earl of Ross as a reward for his loyalty and hard work. It is
little wonder, then, that Charles viewed the drafting of commissions as a very
sensitive business. 76 He decided to send the instructions to Middleton for his opinion
before they were despatched to Scotland. Middleton objected to the notion of an
interim commander so the proceedings were halted.
In late 1652 and the following months, Colonel Robert Lilburne, the acting
Commander-in-Chief of the English forces in Scotland, became increasingly troubled
by suspicions of a royalist uprising. Lilburne had succeeded Richard Deane as
commander-in-chief of the English forces in Scotland in December 1652 as a
temporary replacement until a more experienced officer could be spared from the
Anglo-Dutch conflict. Lilburne himself admitted he was not the best choice but the
fact that his military career had mainly involved duties in Scotland and the north of
England singled him out as an obvious candidate.
Lilburne’s military career had started around 1643 when he was appointed lieutenant
in Richard Crosse’s troop and, three years later, he was given a position as colonel in
the New Model Army. After the first war ended in 1647 he was stationed in
Northumberland to protect the county from moss-troopers. At the end of 1647
Lilburne was one of seven commissioners entrusted with the management of the
northern forces and, by the summer of the following year, appears to have been acting
as almost a second in command to Major-General Lambert. Lilburne’s regiment took
part in Cromwell’s campaign in Scotland, losing a considerable number of men.
Parliament rewarded him lands in Scotland to the value of £300 a year to reward his
loyalty and efficiency.
76 Ibid., pp.xliv, 53.