BattlefieldsDefence of Berwick Wall 1318
Medieval

Defence of Berwick Wall 1318

1318
Berwickshire, Scotland
Also known as: Berwick assault 1318 · Walter Stewart storms Berwick
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Berwickshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English garrison
Forces
English garrison c.150–300.
VS
Victor
Scotland (Walter Stewart / Douglas)
Forces
Scottish besiegers c.2,000–3,000
Outcome
Berwick walls breached; English garrison overwhelmed after night assault
The Battle

History & Significance

The recovery of Berwick in 1318 was accomplished by a surprise night assault rather than a prolonged siege. A Scottish merchant named Sym of Spalding, sympathetic to Bruce, reportedly helped the attackers over the walls. The assault was swift and the garrison was overwhelmed. Berwick had been under English control since its massacre at the start of the wars in 1296 — its recovery was one of the most significant strategic gains of the post-Bannockburn period.

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