BattlefieldsScottish siege of Norham Castle 1497
Tudor

Scottish siege of Norham Castle 1497

1497
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Norham 1497 · James IV siege of Norham
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (James IV)
Forces
James IV siege force c.2,000–5,000; unsuccessful assault on castle.
VS
Victor
England (Norham garrison)
Forces
Norham garrison c.100–300
Outcome
James IV besieged Norham but raised the siege after two weeks; English relief army approached; treaty negotiations followed
The Battle

History & Significance

James IV's siege of Norham Castle in 1497 was an attempt to exploit English distraction during the Perkin Warbeck crisis and the Cornish Rebellion. Norham, a Prince-Bishop of Durham's fortress, was one of the strongest in the north. The siege failed partly because the garrison held firm and partly because Surrey's army moved north rapidly. The episode was a rehearsal for the Flodden campaign of 1513.

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