BattlefieldsSiege of Edinburgh Castle 1314
Medieval

Siege of Edinburgh Castle 1314

1314
Midlothian, Scotland
Also known as: Edinburgh 1314 · Thomas Randolph takes Edinburgh Castle 1314
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Midlothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English garrison
Forces
English: garrison of Edinburgh Castle
VS
Victor
Thomas Randolph Earl of Moray (Scottish)
Forces
Scottish: Randolph with 30 men climbing by night
Outcome
Randolph scaled the castle rock at night with a small party; English garrison captured; castle dismantled per Bruce policy
The Battle

History & Significance

Thomas Randolph Earl of Moray captured Edinburgh Castle by one of the most audacious feats of the Wars of Independence. He led a small team up the north face of the volcanic rock at night, surprised the garrison, and captured the castle. Following Bruce policy of not allowing castles to fall back to English use, he had it dismantled. The capture and destruction happened just months before Bannockburn.

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