BattlefieldsDouglas Raid into Northumberland 1327
Medieval

Douglas Raid into Northumberland 1327

1327
England
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England
Forces
English royal army of 14,000 unable to pin down the raiders
VS
Victor
Scotland
Forces
James Douglas with approximately 2,000 Scottish cavalry
Outcome
Douglas raided across Northumberland burning settlements and driving off cattle; English royal army under young Edward III failed to intercept; enormous damage to northern English livestock and agriculture.
The Battle

History & Significance

James Douglas led a major Scottish cavalry raid deep into Northumberland in 1327, striking during the chaos of Edward II's deposition and Edward III's minority. The young king and his advisors attempted to intercept the Scots but were outmanoeuvred — the English chronicler Froissart records Edward III weeping with rage at being unable to bring Douglas to battle. The raid was part of the sustained Scottish pressure that eventually forced England to sign the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328, recognising Scottish independence.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around this battlefield

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near this battlefield