BattlefieldsSiege of Alnwick Castle (1462–1463)
Medieval

Siege of Alnwick Castle (1462–1463)

1462–1463
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Alnwick siege Wars of Roses
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Lancastrian
Forces
Lancastrian c. 500–1,000; three-year contested sieges.
VS
Victor
Inconclusive (castle changed hands three times)
Forces
Yorkist c. 2,000–4,000
Outcome
Castle besieged, relieved by Scots, besieged again; eventually yielded
The Battle

History & Significance

During the crucial northern campaign of 1462–64, Alnwick, Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh castles changed hands repeatedly between Lancastrian and Yorkist forces. Alnwick was twice besieged and twice relieved by Scottish forces under the Earl of Angus. The frustrating and expensive northern campaigns drained Yorkist resources and showed the limits of Edward IV's control of Northumberland.

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