Battle of Neville’s Cross
The Battle of Neville’s Cross, fought on October 17, 1346, was a significant conflict during the ongoing hostilities between England and Scotland. The battle took place near Durham, as King David II of Scotland led his forces into England with the intention of supporting the French and diverting King Edward III from the Siege of Calais. English forces, commanded by Queen Philippa of Hainaut, confronted the Scots at this site. The battle was marked by strategic missteps on the part of the Scots, who hesitated due to challenging terrain, leading to disarray within their ranks. As the Scots engaged, David's forces became disorganized, culminating in his wounding and eventual capture. This defeat effectively curtailed Scottish raids into northern England, marking a pivotal moment in the Anglo-Scottish conflict. The legacy of the battle continues to be recognized for its impact on the political landscape of the time.
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Battle of Neville’s Cross
Type of action: Ground battle in the Hundred Years’ War
Date: October 17, 1346
Location: Neville’s Cross, Durham, England
Combatants: Scottish vs. English armies
Principal commanders:British, Queen Phillipa of Hainaut (c. 1314–1369); Scottish, King David II (1324–1371)
Result: Successful British defeat of the Scots
The Scots, led by King David II, invaded England in 1346. In October, the Scots advanced on Durham, partly with the aim of helping the French by diverting English king Edward III from the Siege of Calais. They met the English, led by Edward’s wife, Queen Phillipa of Hainaut, at Neville’s Cross, just outside of Durham, on October 17. Several chroniclers described the battle, although many of the details have been disputed. When the Scots hesitated, not wanting to attack because of the terrain, English archers were sent in to goad them into action. David chose not to disperse the archers with a cavalry charge. Instead, he ordered an advance that brought his first two divisions into awkward positions. The first division fell back on the second, which was commanded by David. His third division fled. David was wounded and eventually captured.
Significance
The battle at Neville’s Cross marked an important stage in the long conflict between the English and the Scots. The capture of David effectively ended the Scottish raids on northern England.
Bibliography
Cantor, Norman F. The Civilization of the Middle Ages. New York: HarperCollins, 1993.
Dickenson, J. W. The Battle of Neville’s Cross. Durham, N.C.: Ian Copinger, 1991.
Fines, John. Who’s Who in the Middle Ages. New York: Stein and Day, 1970.
Holmes, George. The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.