after the union of crowns in 1603 conflict between scotland and england ended, but scotland found itself involved in england's foreign policy, opening up scottish shipping to attack. in the 1620s, scotland found herself fighting a naval war as england's ally, first against spain and then also against france, while simultaneously embroiled in undeclared north sea commitments in the danish intervention in the thirty years' war. in 1626 a squadron of three ships were bought and equipped at a cost of least £5,200 sterling, to guard against privateers operating out of spanish-controlled dunkirk and other ships were armed in preparation for potential action. the acting high admiral john gordon of lochinvar organised at least three marque fleets of privateers. it was probably one of lochinvar's marque fleets that was sent to support the english royal navy defending irish waters in 1626. in 1627, the royal scots navy, and accompanying contingents of burgh privateers, participated in the major expedition to biscay. the scots also returned to the west indies, with lochinvar taking french prizes and founding the colony of charles island. in 1629 two squadrons of privateers led by lochinvar and william lord alexander, sailed for canada, taking part in the campaign that resulted in the capture of quebec from the french, which was handed back after the subsequent peace.