BattlefieldsDouglas Captures and Destroys Douglas Castle 1307
Medieval

Douglas Captures and Destroys Douglas Castle 1307

1307
Scotland
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English garrison
Forces
English garrison at Douglas Castle
VS
Victor
James Douglas
Forces
James Douglas commanding guerrilla force
Outcome
English garrison killed; castle burned and contaminated; English outpost in Clydesdale denied; Douglas established reputation for ruthless guerrilla warfare
The Battle

History & Significance

James Douglas raided his own ancestral castle of Douglas in February 1307 when it was garrisoned by the English, on Palm Sunday — known thereafter as the Douglas Larder. He surprised the garrison at church, killed the soldiers, contaminated the well and stores, and burned the castle to deny it to the English. The methodical destruction of his own home demonstrated Douglas's commitment and the ruthlessness of his guerrilla methods; he repeated the act multiple times as the English refortified the castle.

Questions & Answers

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