Battle of Halidon Hill
Halidon Hill, near Berwick-upon-Tweed, England
What happened
King Edward III of England and Edward Balliol fought a Scottish army led by Sir Archibald Douglas, Guardian of Scotland. The English were besieging the town of Berwick, and the Scots came to relieve it. The English held a strong position on Halidon Hill, and the Scots had to advance uphill across marshy ground under English archery. Their formations broke, and Douglas and many Scottish nobles died.
Why it matters
It destroyed the main Scottish army and let Balliol return as king of Scots. In return he handed the district of Lothian to Edward and paid homage to him.
What came next
Berwick surrendered the next day. In 1356 Balliol gave up his claim to the Scottish throne in exchange for an English pension.
Did you know?
Before the main fighting, a Norfolk man named Robert Benhale fought a Scottish champion in single combat between the two armies.
Timeline
- 19 July 1333Battle of Halidon Hill.
- 20 July 1333Berwick surrenders.
- 1334Treaty of Newcastle: Balliol cedes Lothian.
- 20 January 1356Balliol gives up his claim to the throne.