Battlefields›Battle of Stirling Castle 1452 — Douglas Murder
Medieval

Battle of Stirling Castle 1452 — Douglas Murder

1452
Stirlingshire, Scotland
Also known as: Murder of the Earl of Douglas at Stirling · James II kills Douglas
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Stirlingshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
William Douglas, 8th Earl
Forces
William Douglas: c. 10–50. Castle skirmish/murder.
VS
Victor
James II of Scotland
Forces
James II forces: c. 50–150
Outcome
James II personally stabbed Douglas to death at dinner in Stirling Castle
The Battle

History & Significance

James II invited William Douglas, 8th Earl — the most powerful noble in Scotland — to Stirling Castle under a safe conduct. After an argument about Douglas's alliance with the Earls of Crawford and Ross against the crown, James II drew his dagger and stabbed Douglas. When the earl fell, the king's attendants finished him off. James threw the body out of the window. The betrayal of safe conduct shocked Scotland but also terrified the nobility. Parliament absolved James II. The murder precipitated the final Douglas-crown conflict that ended at Arkinholm in 1455.

Casualties & Losses

William Douglas, 8th Earl killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Stirling Castle 1452 — Douglas Murder

Stirling, Mar's Wark, uncompleted residence
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Stirling,Argyll Lodging,house
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Stirling, town wall & bastion & Port Street Bastion at 44 Bastion Wynd
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
Stirling, Royal Gardens including King's Knot
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
Stirling Castle
Scheduled monument · ~0.4 miles
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