East Lothian Garrisons
Grey helps establish and command fortified English positions in East Lothian as occupation replaces short raids as the central strategy of the invasion.
Role range: 1508-1562 – 1547-1550
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
William Grey Biography and Timeline
Follow William Grey through 7 dated historical records for Scotland.
William Grey, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
7Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1547–1560Years on this page
1547
1548
Fortification of Haddington
Grey develops Haddington as the principal English fortress in occupied Scotland, providing a heavily defended base for continued military pressure.
Role range: 1508-1562 – 1547-1550
Siege of Haddington
Grey commands the English garrison as Scottish and French forces begin a prolonged siege of Haddington, the key stronghold of the Tudor occupation.
Role range: 1508-1562 – 1547-1550
1549
Haddington Garrison Defence
Grey and successive commanders keep Haddington in English hands despite sustained French and Scottish pressure, disease and serious supply difficulties.
Role range: 1508-1562 – 1547-1550
1560
English Army Enters Scotland
Grey leads Elizabeth's army across the border into Scotland, beginning a major intervention aimed at forcing the French garrison from Leith.
Role range: 1508-1562 – 1558-1603
Siege of Leith
Grey's English army and its Scottish allies begin siege operations against the fortified French position at Leith.
Role range: 1508-1562 – 1558-1603
Failed Assault on Leith
Grey orders a major assault on Leith that is repulsed with heavy English losses, forcing the besiegers to continue pressure rather than storm the town.
Role range: 1508-1562 – 1558-1603
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.