Archibald Campbell, the
son of the 7th Earl of Argyll, was born in 1598. He was educated at
the University
of St. Andrews and
despite his father's Roman Catholics
beliefs, became a Presbyterian.
Argyll inherited his title
and the leadership of the Campbell clan in 1638. Later that year he
emerged as the leader of the Scots opposed to the religious policies
of Charles
I.
After negotiating the Treaty
of Berwick in 1639 he helped to make the Scottish Parliament an effective
political body. Later that year Argyll arranged for his
main political opponent, Earl of Montrose,
arranged for him
to be confined in Edinburgh Castle.
On the outbreak of the
Civil War Argyll supported Parliament
and the Scots army played an important role in the defeat of the royalist
forces at Marston Moor (July, 1644).
In August, 1644, the Earl
of Montrose defeated the Covenanters under Lord Elcho at Tippermuir.
He then captured Aberdeen
(September, 1644) and plundered
the countryside. At Inverlochy (February, 1645) his army killed 1,500
Campbells in battle. He achieved further victories at Auldearn (May,
1645) and Alford (June, 1645). Argyll was therefore pleased when Montrose
was defeated by David Leslie at Philiphaugh
(September, 1645).
Argyll disapproved of the
execution of Charles
I. This act resulted
in Argyll breaking with Oliver
Cromwell and
soon after Charles
II was proclaimed
king in Edinburgh.
In July, 1650, the Parliamentary
army invaded Scotland. Cromwell's victory
at Dunbar in September destroyed Argyll's authority and he was forced
into retirement.
On the Restoration
Argyll was arrested on the orders of Charles
II. Charged with
high treason, Archibald Campbell, 8th Earl of Argyll, was executed
in 1661.
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