The Battle of Neville's Cross
The Battle that Haunted Scotland
The Battle of Neville's Cross
Among the numerous confrontations of the Hundred Years' War, the Battle of Neville's Cross remains iconic. Little did King David II of Scotland realize, as he stepped into English territory, that he was on the brink of a historic encounter with consequences for both his realm and his southern neighbours.
BACKGROUND
In the cold grasp of January 1343, England, France, and Scotland signed the Truce of Malestroit providing a temporary respite from the relentless hostilities of the Hundred Years' War. Both England and France utilised this break to rebuild their finances and replenish their battle-worn armies. The truce was set to expire on 29 September 1346, however Edward III King of England was secretly planning another invasion of France. By February 1346, Edward had ordered his army to assemble in Portsmouth ready to cross the channel and plunder France.
Philip VI, cognisant of Edward's intentions, turned to ancient ties, invoking the Auld Alliance of 1326 with Scotland. This alliance ensured that if Scotland or France was at war with England, the other would invade forcing the English to face battles on two fronts.
In June 1346, Philip VI sought to pre-emptively activate the terms of the Auld Alliance, urging King David II of Scotland to strike the English. His pleas were renewed as Edward landed a formidable force of 15,000 men on the shores of Normandy. Philip implored David II to invade England on the basis that it must now be a 'defenceless void'. However, when the Scots advanced into northern England, they were surprisingly met, and decisively repelled, back by vigilant local defenders. Recognising the need for a larger invasion force, David brokered a brief truce with England until the end of September, allowing him to rally a more formidable army in Perth. Meanwhile, the French faced a crushing defeat at Crécy, and the English invasion force led by Edward was laying siege to Calais. Nonetheless, on 7 October, King David marched at the helm of a 12,000-strong army leading them across the English border.
A 15th-century manuscript illustration, Philippa of Hainault encouraging the forces of her husband, Edward III, before the Battle of Neville’s Cross in 1346
THE SCOTTISH INVASION
Crossing into England at the western end of the Anglo-Scottish border, the Scottish army did not immediately push south to capitalise on the element of surprise. Instead, they halted just inside the border to besiege the 'Peel of Liddell' a powerful natural fortress. The famed 'Knight of Liddesdale', William Douglas, spearheaded the first wave of attack reaching the tower that morning, with the rest of the Scottish army joining by evening. After a siege lasting four to five days, the Scots conquered the tower, mercilessly killing every adult male inside, including its keeper, Walter de Selby, and his two sons.
Word of the Scottish invasion set off alarm bells within England. However, this invasion had been anticipated for some time. Two years earlier, the Chancellor of England had ominously warned Parliament about the Scots' intention to breach the truce at France's behest. Foreseeing the potential threat, Edward had tactfully spared the northern counties from his conscription, ensuring that sufficient troops remained to fend off any Scottish incursion. Even before the Scots crossed into English territory, the English Regency had proactively issued a proclamation of array on 20 August. As a result, an army was rapidly assembled at Richmond, North Yorkshire. Archbishop William de la Zouche took the helm of this force which boasted 3,000-4,000 troops, including 1,200 Lancashire longbowmen. Meanwhile, 3,000 Yorkshiremen marched from the south as reinforcements.
Following the conquest of the Peel of Liddell, David directed his army south-eastward. He bypassed Carlisle and its neighbouring regions, which had paid the Scots 300 marks to be spared. Upon reaching the Augustinian priory, the invaders pillaged the monastic structures and defiled the church. The army then followed the course of the River Irthing, journeying down the Tyne Valley to Hexham. Here, they stayed for three days, looting Hexham Abbey in the process. Their next target was the affluent city of Durham.
As the Scots indulged in their pillaging spree at Hexham Abbey, the Archbishop chose to act without delay. Instead of waiting for the Yorkshire reinforcements, he marched north-west from Richmond to Barnard Castle on 14 October, and then quickly veered north-east towards Durham. En route, he was joined by the Yorkshire contingent. Lord Ralph Neville assumed command of this consolidated force now numbering between 6,000 and 7,000 men.
After rampaging their way through Northumberland David and his army arrived outside Durham on 16 October 1346. They set up camp at Beaurepaire, situated to the west of Durham along the banks of the River Browney. This location was the country residence of the prior of the city's cathedral monastery. In an attempt not to suffer the same horrible fate as Hexham Abbey, the monks brokered a deal with the Scots, promising £1,000 as protection money, scheduled for delivery on 18 October.
As the Scots awaited their payment, they remained unaware of the large English force advancing from the south. By 16 October, the English reached Auckland Park, a mere 18 miles from Durham. With both armies now in close proximity, the stage was set for the Battle of Neville's Cross.
The Scottish and English movements prior to the Battle of Neville’s Cross
PRELUDE TO THE BATTLE
On the chilly morning of 17 October, with dense mist shrouding the landscape, the Scots at Beaurepaire were blissfully ignorant of the English army's proximity, a mere 6 miles away. As dawn's light slowly crept through the fog, around 500 Scottish men, led by William Douglas, found themselves unexpectedly face-to-face with the enemy. They had inadvertently stumbled upon the English near Merrington, south of Durham, during a routine raid.
The element of surprise worked in the English's favour. With the Scots vastly outnumbered, the two rear divisions of the English army quickly overpowered them. The skirmish left around 300 of Douglas's men dead or wounded. Douglas, with urgency in every step, raced back to David II's camp to sound the alarm, the English are here!
The Scottish camp jumped in action as warriors readied themselves for a confrontation. Amidst the turmoil, two Benedictine monks from Durham approached, seeking to mediate and offer terms of peace. However, David II, perhaps feeling the weight of impending battle and suspicious of every move, perceived them as spies. He hastily ordered their execution. But in the swirling chaos and anticipation of the looming conflict, the monks managed to slip away, their lives intact.
Determined to gain a tactical advantage, David II marched his troops eastward from Beaurepaire, leading them to a strategic high ground less than half a mile away. Here stood a stone monument called ‘Neville’s Cross', the stage was set for the impending battle.
Battle of Neville’s Cross (1346)
THE BATTLE
As dawn's light filtered through the mist, the two opposing armies stood poised for battle on the moorland, separated by a mere quarter-mile. Each side methodically arranging their forces into three distinct divisions.
For the Scots, King David II personally commanded the central division. Entrusted with the vanguard was John Randolph, the Earl of Moray, while Patrick Dunbar, the Earl of March, assumed control of the rear division. The Scottish forces positioned themselves amidst the uneven ditches and walls of the terrain. With their front lines armed with axes and the longer spears of the rear ranks protruding past them, the dismounted knights and men-at-arms fortified their ranks.
In contrast, the English divisions had Lord Henry Percy at the helm of their vanguard. Neville commanded the second while the Archbishop of York oversaw the third. Despite these separate divisions, overall command remained with Neville. The English forces were similarly dismounted, arranging men-at-arms in the centre of each division with longbowmen flanking their sides.
As dawn's mist receded, the disadvantageous positioning of the Scots became evident. Hindered by the uneven terrain and recalling past defeats at Dupplin Moor and Halidon Hill, they adopted a defensive stance, bracing for an English advance.
However, the English, confident in their strategic advantage, also held their ground. They knew that patience and a strategic high ground were in their favour. This stand-off persisted until midday when the English archers initiated their offensive, harassing the Scottish lines with a barrage of arrows. The Scots, having not fostered a significant archery regiment of their own, found themselves without an adequate counter.
Amid the onslaught of arrows, John Graham the Earl of Menteith, in a brave but impulsive move, led a small contingent against the advancing archers. Yet, his steed was struck down, and despite his valorous efforts, he was forced to withdraw.
Under the relentless rain of English arrows, the Earl of Moray, no longer willing to bear more losses, advanced his troops to drive off the English bowmen. But the broken landscape hampered their progression, leaving them scattered and vulnerable. By the time his dishevelled Scottish warriors engaged the English in hand-to-hand combat, they were easily overpowered.
Meanwhile, the largest Scottish division, under the command of the Earl of March, succumbed to the initial volleys of arrows and fled. Most managed to escape without harm.
The English maintained their distance from King David II's remaining Scottish forces, unleashing a relentless storm of arrows upon them. The King's division faced a prolonged barrage, given the greater distance they had to cover compared to Moray's men before they could engage the English. When the Scots finally closed in, they were met fiercely by the English men-at-arms.
The ensuing combat was described as "ferocious" with Scottish warriors fighting fiercely. Despite their valiant efforts, they were soon overwhelmed. As they attempted to retreat, they were decisively routed. Despite his valiant efforts, King David was struck by several arrows, one grievously injuring his face. He was ultimately captured by an English squire named John de Coupland. The scattered remnants of the Scottish army were relentlessly pursued across the Durham countryside for a gruelling twenty miles, a chase that lasted deep into the night.
Battle of Neville's Cross from a 15th-century manuscript
AFTERMATH
Post-battle, the landscape painted a grim picture. English casualties were surprisingly minimal, but the Scots suffered devastating losses, with estimates suggesting around 3,000 dead. The intense fighting and the extensive bloodshed led to the battle's initial name, the ‘Battle of the Red Hills’. To this day, a proximate area is hauntingly referred to as 'Red Hills', a stark reminder of the violence that unfolded there.
The Scots didn't just suffer in terms of fatalities. Over 50 of their barons were either slain on the battlefield or taken prisoner. It's estimated that a few hundred Scots were captured, but not all were destined for the same fate. Those deemed capable of paying a ransom were detained, while others faced summary execution.
King David, injured but alive, was taken first to Bamburgh Castle. English surgeons attended to his wounds there. Once stabilised, he was transferred to the Tower of London, but not before being paraded through the city streets on a sombre black horse, a spectacle for the citizens. His final confinement was at Odiham Castle, where he remained until 1357. It was only then that King Edward III agreed to his release, after a hefty ransom was paid.
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