Before the Battle of Otterburn, Douglas conducted a series of provocative raids including penetrating to Newcastle, where he reportedly taunted Hotspur by capturing his pennon from the castle gates. It was this provocation that drew Hotspur to pursue Douglas northward, leading to the night engagement at Otterburn. The episode illustrates the theatrical quality of border warfare — honour and reputation were as important as material gain.
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.
Research a location near County Durham