BattlefieldsScots foray to the Wear — pre-Neville's Cross 1346
Medieval

Scots foray to the Wear — pre-Neville's Cross 1346

1346
County Durham, England
Also known as: Scottish advance to River Wear 1346
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
County Durham, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English communities
Forces
c.12,000 Scots (David II); David captured
VS
Victor
Scots (temporarily)
Forces
c.12,000 English
Outcome
David II's forces crossed the Wear burning settlements before the English force caught up with them at Neville's Cross
The Battle

History & Significance

This Scottish raid demonstrated the vulnerability of northern England during the Hundred Years' War, when English forces were concentrated in France. The foray was part of a broader Scottish strategy to exploit English military commitments abroad and reclaim lost territories. King David II's subsequent capture at Neville's Cross (October 1346) proved a major diplomatic and strategic victory for England, securing Scotland's neutrality for years through ransom negotiations.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around County Durham

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