BattlefieldsBattle of Stanhope Park 1327
Medieval

Battle of Stanhope Park 1327

1327
County Durham, England
Also known as: Douglas night raid on Edward III 1327 · Stanhope skirmish 1327
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
County Durham, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Edward III)
Forces
English royal camp
VS
Victor
Scotland (James Douglas — partial)
Forces
Douglas with Scottish cavalry night raiding party
Outcome
Douglas led a night raid into the English royal camp at Stanhope Park, killing the kings chamberlain and nearly reaching the king himself; Edward III wept with frustration
The Battle

History & Significance

The night raid at Stanhope Park was one of the most audacious actions of the entire Wars of Independence. Douglas rode through the dark into the English royal camp and reached Edward IIIs own tent. He killed several royal household members and reportedly cut the royal tent ropes before being driven off. The young king wept with frustration at his inability to bring the Scots to battle. The raid — combined with the fruitless pursuit through Weardale — convinced the English government that fighting Scotland was futile, leading directly to the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton the following year.

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