he then changed sides, and in 1647 he signed the "engagement" for the release of charles i, losing all his offices when his enemy, the marquess of argyll, obtained the upper hand. after the defeat of the scots at the battle of dunbar in 1650, however, crawford regained his influence in scottish politics, but from 1651 to 1660 he was a prisoner in england. in 1661 he was restored to his former dignities, but his refusal to abjure the covenant compelled him to resign them two years later.