BattlefieldsBlack Douglas final stand — Threave Castle siege 1455
Medieval

Black Douglas final stand — Threave Castle siege 1455

1455
Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland
Also known as: Siege of Threave 1455 · Threave Castle bombardment 1455
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Black Douglas garrison
Forces
Black Douglas garrison
VS
Victor
Royalists (James II)
Forces
Royal siege train with large-calibre guns
Outcome
James II besieged Threave, the last Black Douglas stronghold, with Mons Meg or a similar bombard; the castle surrendered after the garrison was bribed
The Battle

History & Significance

After the destruction of the Douglas forces at Arkinholm in April 1455, the ninth Earl fled to England and Threave Castle in Kirkcudbrightshire — the family's most formidable fortress — became the final Douglas holdout. James II brought his largest bombard and bombarded the castle. Legend says the first shot from Mons Meg blew the hand off the wife of one of the garrison. The castle surrendered for a bribe. James II had permanently broken the Black Douglases.

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