BattlefieldsSiege of Dunbar Castle 1296
Medieval

Siege of Dunbar Castle 1296

1296
East Lothian, Scotland
Also known as: English siege Dunbar 1296
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
East Lothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (Countess of Dunbar)
Forces
Garrison: c. 200-400.
VS
Victor
England (Earl of Surrey)
Forces
English besiegers: c. 3,000-4,000
Outcome
Dunbar Castle surrendered; first Scottish castle to fall in the war
The Battle

History & Significance

Dunbar Castle was held by the Countess of Dunbar — her husband, the earl, having taken the English side. The countess held out while a Scottish relief army attempted to raise the siege. When the relief was destroyed at the Battle of Dunbar, the castle quickly surrendered. The rapid fall of Dunbar was symbolic of Scotland's military weakness in 1296 before Wallace's uprising transformed the conflict.

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