Battlefields›Siege of Bamburgh Castle — Malcolm III's campaigns
Medieval

Siege of Bamburgh Castle — Malcolm III's campaigns

1079
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Bamburgh siege 1079
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Malcolm III (failed siege)
Forces
Malcolm III siege force c.800–1,500.
VS
Victor
English garrison
Forces
Bamburgh garrison c.100–300
Outcome
Malcolm besieged Bamburgh during his 1079 invasion; castle too strong to take; he ravaged the surrounding countryside
The Battle

History & Significance

Bamburgh's great rock fortress repeatedly defied Scottish sieges throughout the medieval period. Its coastal position allowed resupply by sea, making it virtually impregnable without a fleet. Malcolm ravaged the hinterland in frustration but could not take the castle

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Siege of Bamburgh Castle — Malcolm III's campaigns

Dovecote 150yds (140m) NE of Lepers' Hospital
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
Unknown wreck, 600m ENE of Bamburgh Castle
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
Round barrow 520m WNW of Quarry Cottage
Scheduled monument · ~0.4 miles
Spindlestone Heughs defended settlement
Scheduled monument · ~2.1 miles
Pre-Conquest monastic cell and post-Conquest monastic settlement on Inner Farne
Scheduled monument · ~2.2 miles
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