BattlefieldsRaid on Durham Cathedral 1312
Medieval

Raid on Durham Cathedral 1312

1312
County Durham, England
Also known as: Scottish raid Durham 1312 · Bruce raids County Durham 1312
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
County Durham, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
County Durham
Forces
Durham defenders c.200–400.
VS
Victor
Scotland (Douglas)
Forces
Douglas raiding party c.600–1,200
Outcome
Durham raided; county paid ransom; English crown unable to protect the north
The Battle

History & Significance

James Douglas led a Scottish raiding force that penetrated as far as Durham — approaching the great cathedral city and extracting a ransom payment. The raids of 1311-14 showed that without an effective field army, England could not prevent Scottish forces from operating deep inside English territory. Durham's monks paid protection money to avoid burning. The raids were designed to put maximum pressure on Edward II to negotiate.

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