BattlefieldsDavid I Takes Wark Castle 1138
Medieval

David I Takes Wark Castle 1138

1138
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Siege of Wark-on-Tyne 1138 · David I besieges Wark
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English garrison at Wark
Forces
English garrison c.40–70; siege.
VS
Victor
Scotland (David I)
Forces
Scots c.1,500–3,000
Outcome
Wark-on-Tyne taken; important border fortress secured for Scotland
The Battle

History & Significance

Wark Castle on the Tyne was a key English border fortress guarding the northern frontier. David I captured it during his 1138 invasion, giving the Scots control of the Tyne crossing. The castle changed hands multiple times during the wars of this period. Its capture was strategically important as part of David's systematic approach to securing the border as a permanent Scottish frontier rather than just a raiding objective.

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