Battle of Neville's Cross

Overview

The Battle of Neville's Cross took place during the Second War of Scottish Independence on 17 October 1346, half a mile to the west of Durham, England. An invading Scottish army of 12,000 led by King David II was defeated with heavy loss by an English army of approximately 6,000–7,000 men led by Ralph Neville, Lord Neville. The battle was named after an Anglo-Saxon stone cross that stood on the hill where the Scots made their stand. After the victory, Neville paid to have a new cross erected to commemorate the day.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Neville's Cross, fought half a mile west of Durham on 17 October 1346, resulted in the defeat of a Scottish invading force of 12,000 by an English army of approximately 6,000–7,000 men. The engagement occurred within the broader context of the Second War of Scottish Independence, which itself intersected with the Hundred Years' War: Scotland's invasion of northern England was mounted while English forces under Edward III were campaigning in France, exploiting English commitments on the continent. The defeat was severe for Scotland, with Scottish casualties estimated between 1,000 and 3,000, and the outcome effectively neutralized Scotland's ability to press its advantage during England's continental absence. The battle took its name from an Anglo-Saxon stone cross standing on the hill where the Scottish army made its stand; following the English victory, Ralph Neville, the English commander, paid to have a new cross erected on the site to commemorate the engagement.

Tactics

Forces & casualties

Commanders (6)