Lady Ann Cunningham

Lady Ann Cunningham, Marchioness of Hamilton (died 1646 ) led a mixed-sex cavalry troop during the Battle of Berwick on 5 June 1639.

Background and family
She was the fourth daughter of James Cunningham, 7th Earl of Glencairn and Margaret, daughter of Sir Colin Campbell of Glenurquhy, a family noted for their early commitment to Protestantism.

She married James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Hamilton on 30 January 1603. They had two sons, James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton (1606–1649) and William Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Hamilton (1616–1651) and three daughters, Lady Anne Hamilton (married Hugh, 7th Earl of Eglinton), Lady Margaret Hamilton (married John, Earl of Crawford and Lindsay) and Lady Mary Hamilton (d. 1633) (married James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Queensberry).

Historical importance
Her historical importance is as a defender of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland against Charles I attempts to convert the whole of Scotland to Anglicanism and her active leadership in the National Coventant resistance movement.

Her son, James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton, had sided with Charles I. When he attempted to land an army on the Scottish Coast in 1639, she organised the defences and came forth with pistol which she vowed to discharge upon her son if he offered to come ashore. Her son's failure to land his army is attributed to his fear of his mothers' anger, however there are believed to be valid military reasons also.

Lady Ann Cunningham did however raise a cavalry troop and led them on horseback during the Battle of Berwick on 5 June 1639. They rode under a banner showing a hand repelling a prayer book with the motto For God, the King, Religion and the Covenant.

The result led to the Scots' the right to a free church assembly and a free parliament.

Her great-great-grandson was Sir William Hamilton the husband of Emma, Lady Hamilton who is best known as the mistress of Lord Nelson.