BattlefieldsScottish prisoners at Durham Cathedral 1650-1651
English Civil War

Scottish prisoners at Durham Cathedral 1650-1651

1650–1651
County Durham, England
Also known as: Dunbar prisoners Durham 1650
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
County Durham, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scottish prisoners
Forces
Scottish prisoners c.4,000–5,000+.
VS
Victor
English (Cromwell)
Forces
English guards c.200–400
Outcome
3,000+ Scottish prisoners from Dunbar held in Durham Cathedral; thousands died of cold and disease
The Battle

History & Significance

After Cromwell's victory at Dunbar in September 1650, thousands of Scottish prisoners were force-marched to Durham where they were imprisoned in the cathedral. Mortality was catastrophic — disease and cold killed perhaps a third of them. Recent archaeological excavations in Durham have uncovered their burial site

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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