BattlefieldsBlack Douglas's Raid into Yorkshire 1318
Medieval

Black Douglas's Raid into Yorkshire 1318

1318
North Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Douglas Raid of Yorkshire · Great Raid of 1318
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
North Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English border communities
Forces
English border levies c.500–2,000.
VS
Victor
Scotland (James Douglas)
Forces
Scottish raiding party c.500–1,000
Outcome
Douglas's cavalry raided deep into Yorkshire; Northallerton area burned; livestock and booty driven north
The Battle

History & Significance

James Douglas, the 'Black Douglas', was Bruce's greatest raiding commander. His raids into Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cumberland were among the deepest Scottish penetrations into England since the Viking age. The raids bypassed defended towns and castles to strike at the agricultural heartland, destroying the economic base of northern England and forcing peasants to abandon their farms. Douglas became a figure of terror throughout the English north.

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