BattlefieldsAction at Berwick — Scots attempt Berwick 1355
Medieval

Action at Berwick — Scots attempt Berwick 1355

1355
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Burnt Candlemas 1356 · French-Scottish raid 1355
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland
Forces
Scots c. 300–600.
VS
Victor
England
Forces
English garrison c. 100–200
Outcome
Anglo-French agreement had Scots raid into Northumberland to distract Edward III from France; English retaliation burned the Lothians in the Burnt Candlemas 1356
The Battle

History & Significance

The Burnt Candlemas of February 1356 was Edward III's savage response to Scottish raiding encouraged by France. His army marched through the Lothians in the dead of winter, burning everything they could find. The destruction was so systematic and the burning so widespread that the operation acquired the name 'Burnt Candlemas' from the fires visible across the darkened landscape. It was one of the most destructive English chevauchees into Scotland and foreshadowed Hertford's operations nearly two centuries later.

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