BattlefieldsDouglas burning of Stirling 1452
Medieval

Douglas burning of Stirling 1452

1452
Stirlingshire, Scotland
Also known as: Black Douglas revenge raid on Stirling 1452
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Stirlingshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royal burgh of Stirling
Forces
Stirling burgh
VS
Victor
Black Douglases (temporary)
Forces
c.600 Douglas horsemen
Outcome
The ninth Earl of Douglas, avenging his brother's murder, rode to Stirling with 600 men, burned the town and dragged the safe-conduct document at his horse's tail through the streets
The Battle

History & Significance

The theatrical revenge of the Black Douglases for the murder of the eighth earl was a calculated act of defiance. The new ninth earl publicly humiliated the crown by burning Stirling — the royal capital — and symbolically destroying the violated safe-conduct. Parliament was unimpressed; James II organised a coalition to destroy the Douglases, which was completed at Arkinholm in 1455.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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