The Battle of Philiphaugh occurred amidst the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, a series of conflicts involving Scotland, England, and Ireland primarily driven by issues of governance, religion, and monarchy. The Covenanters, a group of Scottish Presbyterians, opposed King Charles I's attempts at asserting control and establishing episcopacy. In early 1645, the Royalist forces, loyal to the king and seeking to regain influence, gathered under the command of Sir James Hamilton, aiming to march into the south of Scotland to rally support against the Covenanters.

However, the Covenanting forces, led skillfully by David Leslie, anticipated the Royalists' movements. On September 13, 1645, Leslie's army positioned themselves strategically near Selkirk and engaged Hamilton's forces in a fierce conflict. The battle was brief but intense, resulting in a decisive victory for the Covenanters. The Royalist forces suffered significant casualties, and many soldiers were captured, while Leslie's troops managed to thwart the Royalist ambitions in southern Scotland.

The aftermath of the battle cemented the Covenanter's dominance in the region and marked a turning point in the struggle between the two factions. It also underscored the complexities of Scottish politics and the growing divide over loyalty to the Crown versus the desire for self-governance and religious freedoms. The defeat of the Royalists at Philiphaugh contributed to the ongoing decline of Royalist power in Scotland and reinforced the Covenanting cause.