BattlefieldsDouglas Raid into Northumberland 1385
Medieval

Douglas Raid into Northumberland 1385

1385
Northumberland, England
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English
Forces
English northern forces
VS
Victor
Franco-Scottish
Forces
Franco-Scottish c.3,000 cavalry
Outcome
Franco-Scottish force raided across Northumberland as far south as County Durham; English northern lords unable to bring raiders to battle; enormous livestock and property losses recorded.
The Battle

History & Significance

James, Earl of Douglas, led a French-Scottish combined force into Northumberland in 1385, accompanied by a French contingent under Jean de Vienne that had landed in Scotland. The raid was part of a coordinated Franco-Scottish strategy to strike England from the north while the English were distracted by coastal defence against French raids in the south. The appearance of French cavalry in Northumberland caused alarm in London and diverted resources that might otherwise have supported English operations in France.

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