Battle of Neville's Cross
About 800 m west of Durham, County Durham, England
What happened
An English army under Lord Ralph Neville and Lord Henry Percy fought the Scottish army of King David II. While King Edward III was fighting in France, King David II of Scotland invaded northern England and advanced on Durham. An English army met the Scots on high ground in sight of Durham Cathedral. English archers drew the Scots into attacking over difficult ground, the Scottish army broke, and David II was wounded and captured.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It removed the Scottish threat to England while Edward III fought in France. The truce that followed brought about forty years of relative peace on the border.
What came next
David II was held in the Tower of London from 1347. He was released in 1357 under the Treaty of Berwick, for a ransom of 100,000 marks.
Did you know?
According to accounts, David II hid under a bridge over the River Browney, and English soldiers spotted his reflection in the water.
Timeline
- 26 August 1346Edward III wins at Crécy in France.
- 17 October 1346The English win at Neville's Cross.
- January 1347David II is imprisoned in the Tower of London.
- 3 October 1357The Treaty of Berwick frees David II for a ransom.