BattlefieldsSiege of Bothwell Castle 1301
Medieval

Siege of Bothwell Castle 1301

1301
Lanarkshire, Scotland
Also known as: Edward I takes Bothwell 1301 · English capture of Bothwell 1301
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Lanarkshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (Bothwell garrison)
Forces
Scottish garrison of Bothwell
VS
Victor
England (Edward I)
Forces
Edward I with full royal army
Outcome
Edward I besieged and captured Bothwell Castle — the most formidable castle in Scotland — as part of his 1301 campaign
The Battle

History & Significance

Bothwell Castle on the Clyde was arguably the most architecturally impressive castle in Scotland: a massive stone donjon surrounded by curtain walls. When Edward I captured it in 1301 he turned it into an English administrative centre for the west of Scotland. Bruce recaptured it after Bannockburn and demolished it — consistent with his policy of denying the English permanent fortified bases. The ruins that survive today show the scale of what Bruce destroyed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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