BattlefieldsSiege of Edinburgh Castle (1314)
Medieval

Siege of Edinburgh Castle (1314)

1314
Midlothian, Scotland
Also known as: Scaling of Edinburgh Castle 1314
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Midlothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English garrison
Forces
English garrison c.60–100.
VS
Victor
Scotland (Thomas Randolph)
Forces
Randolph's assault force c.1,000–1,500
Outcome
Castle taken by night escalade; walls demolished
The Battle

History & Significance

Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, took Edinburgh Castle by a daring night escalade. A local man named William Francis knew a secret route up the north face of Castle Rock — he had used it to visit a girl in the town. Randolph's men climbed the rock in the dark and surprised the garrison. The walls were demolished. This was one of Bruce's greatest coups before Bannockburn.

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