BattlefieldsSiege of Dunbar Castle 1338
Medieval

Siege of Dunbar Castle 1338

1338
East Lothian, Scotland
Also known as: Defence of Dunbar by Black Agnes · Countess of Dunbar siege
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
East Lothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Salisbury)
Forces
Scottish defenders: c.200–300 under Agnes Randolph
VS
Victor
Scotland (Agnes Randolph — Black Agnes)
Forces
English besiegers: c.1,500–2,000
Outcome
Dunbar held for five months; English siege abandoned; Black Agnes became a Scottish heroine
The Battle

History & Significance

Agnes Randolph, Countess of Dunbar — "Black Agnes" — defended Dunbar Castle against the Earl of Salisbury for five months. When Salisbury used a siege engine, Agnes had her ladies dust off the battlements with white cloths. When he threatened to kill her brother Patrick if she didn't yield, she replied that his death would make her the heir to his titles. Salisbury gave up in disgust. One of Scotland's great female heroes.

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