The Battle of Neville's Cross

KEY POINT SUMMARY

The BATTLE of Neville’s Cross: Key point summary

Background

  • January 1343: England, France, and Scotland signed the Truce of Malestroit during the Hundred Years' War.

  • Truce expiry: 29 September 1346.

  • Edward III of England planned an invasion of France in secret, assembling an army in Portsmouth by February 1346.

  • Philip VI of France invoked the Auld Alliance of 1326 with Scotland to counter Edward's plans.

  • June 1346: Philip VI asked King David II of Scotland to attack England.

  • Despite Scotland's initial invasion, local defenders in northern England repelled them.

  • French were defeated at Crécy; Edward's army was laying siege to Calais.

  • 7 October: David II led a 12,000-strong Scottish army into England.

The Scottish Invasion

  • The Scottish army besieged the 'Peel of Liddell'; it was captured after 4-5 days.

  • The invasion had been predicted by the Chancellor of England two years prior.

  • English Regency had issued a proclamation of array on 20 August; an army assembled at Richmond.

  • Archbishop William de la Zouche led this force of 3,000-4,000 troops.

  • 3,000 Yorkshiremen provided reinforcements.

  • The Scots pillaged the Augustinian priory and Hexham Abbey, heading to Durham.

  • The English army, led by the Archbishop and later Lord Ralph Neville, numbered between 6,000 and 7,000 men.

  • 16 October 1346: Scots set up camp at Beaurepaire near Durham.

Prelude to the Battle

  • 17 October: A group of 500 Scots unexpectedly encountered the English army.

  • The English overpowered this Scottish contingent, causing around 300 casualties.

  • David II positioned his army on high ground near ‘Neville’s Cross'.

The Battle

  • The armies faced off, each forming three divisions.

  • Scots' divisions led by David II, John Randolph, and Patrick Dunbar.

  • English divisions led by Lord Henry Percy, Neville, and the Archbishop of York. Neville had overall command.

  • The Scots' positioning made them vulnerable to English archers.

  • Earl of Moray's division advanced but faced defeat due to challenging terrain and the might of the English forces.

  • The Earl of March's division fled.

  • The English unleashed arrows on David II's division, followed by close combat. The Scots were overwhelmed and routed.

  • David II was captured after being injured.

Aftermath

  • English casualties were minimal, but Scots suffered around 3,000 deaths.

  • The battle was initially known as the ‘Battle of the Red Hills’.

  • Over 50 Scottish barons were killed or captured.

  • Captured Scots faced ransom or execution.

  • Injured David II was paraded through London streets, then confined at Odiham Castle until 1357 when he was ransomed and released.

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

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