In 1584, bishops were imposed on the kirk against considerable resistance; since they also sat in parliament and usually supported royal policies, arguments over their role were as much about politics as religion.

Royalists generally emphasised the role of the monarch more than Covenanters, but there were many factors, including nationalist allegiance to the kirk, and individual motives were very complex.

Its signatories vowed to oppose any changes, and included Argyll and six other members of the Scottish Privy Council; in December, bishops were expelled from the kirk.

An English army of 20,000 would advance on Edinburgh from the south, while an amphibious force of 5,000 under the Marquis of Hamilton were to land in Aberdeen, where it would link up with Royalist troops led by the Marquess of Huntly.

Lastly, an Irish army under Randal MacDonnell, Earl of Antrim would invade western Scotland from Carrickfergus, then join with the MacDonalds and other Royalist clans.

In April, Lord Banff assumed command of Royalist forces in Aberdeenshire and temporarily re-occupied Aberdeen after two minor engagements, one at Towie Barclay Castle, where David Prat became the first casualty of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, and the other at the Trot of Turriff.

[10] The Covenanters were approaching Aberdeen from the south, and in response, Aboyne posted a hundred musketeers on the bridge, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone.