The Covenanting movement was a significant religious and political movement in 17th-century Scotland. It emerged in response to the imposition of the Anglican liturgy and governance by the Stuart monarchy, which many Scots viewed as a threat to their Presbyterian beliefs. The movement sought to uphold the National Covenant of 1638, which pledged to defend the Reformed faith and resist any changes to church governance. The movement led to a series of conflicts known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, where Covenanters fought to maintain their religious freedoms. It played a crucial role in shaping Scottish identity and the relationship between church and state, influencing later developments in Scottish and British history.