BattlefieldsRaid of the West March 1345 — Douglas at Penrith
Medieval

Raid of the West March 1345 — Douglas at Penrith

1345
Cumbria, England
Also known as: Douglas Penrith Raid 1345
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Cumbria, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English West March
Forces
English West March defenders c. 150–300.
VS
Victor
Scotland (William Douglas)
Forces
Douglas's raid force c. 400–800
Outcome
Douglas's forces burned Penrith and surrounding villages; livestock driven to Scotland; English Warden unable to respond effectively
The Battle

History & Significance

William Douglas's raids into Cumberland in 1345 were part of a pattern of pressure on the English West March that persisted throughout the fourteenth century. The repeated burning of Penrith demonstrated that even the principal town of Cumberland was not safe from Scottish raiding. Communities in the English north learned to pay blackmail as a cheaper alternative to physical devastation.

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