BattlefieldsBattle of Arkinholm 1455
Medieval

Battle of Arkinholm 1455

1455
Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Also known as: Arkinholm 1455 · Destruction of the Black Douglases
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Black Douglases (three brothers of the earl)
Forces
Black Douglases: c.3,000–5,000. Decisive anti-Douglas battle.
VS
Victor
Royalists (Maxwell, Johnston, Scott)
Forces
Royalists: c.4,000–6,000
Outcome
Government victory; three Douglas brothers killed or captured; earldom forfeited; Douglas power destroyed
The Battle

History & Significance

The final battle of the long conflict between the Scottish crown and the Black Douglases — the most powerful noble family in Scotland. Three brothers of the exiled Earl of Douglas — Archibald, Hugh and John — were caught at Arkinholm on the Esk by government forces. Archibald was killed; Hugh was captured and beheaded; John escaped temporarily. The earl fled to England permanently and the Douglas earldom was forfeited. After a century of threatening the crown, the Douglases were finished. No Scottish noble family ever again posed such a threat to royal authority.

Casualties & Losses

Archibald Douglas killed; Hugh Douglas captured and executed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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