Battle of Otterburn: Difference between revisions
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|result=Scottish victory |
|result=Scottish victory |
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|combatant1= |
|combatant1=[[Kingdom of England]] |
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|combatant2= |
|combatant2=[[Kingdom of Scotland]] |
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|commander1= |
|commander1=[[Harry Hotspur|Sir Henry Percy]]{{POW}} |
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|commander2= |
|commander2=[[James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas|Sir James Douglas]]{{KIA}} |
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⚫ | |||
Sir John Dunbar Earl of Moray |
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⚫ | |||
Sir John Swinton |
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Sir John De Montgomery of Eglesham |
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Sir Robert Herriot |
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Sir John Tories of Inverleith |
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Sir William of London |
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|strength1=Up to 8,000 |
|strength1=Up to 8,000 |
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|strength2=Up to 6,000 |
|strength2=Up to 6,000 |
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[[File:Pennon of Sir Henry (Hotspur) Percy, Battle of Otterburn.jpg|thumb|150px|Captured Pennon of Hotspur|right]] |
[[File:Pennon of Sir Henry (Hotspur) Percy, Battle of Otterburn.jpg|thumb|150px|Captured Pennon of Hotspur|right]] |
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The '''Battle of Otterburn''' took place according to Scottish sources on 5 August 1388,<ref>Tom Steel, ''Scotland's Story'', p 57, {{ISBN|0006370039}}.</ref><ref>''The Hundred Years' War'' by [[Anne Curry]], p 53, {{ISBN|1841762695}}.</ref> or 19 August according to English sources,<ref>''The English and Scottish Popular Ballads'' by [[Francis James Child]], p 292, {{ISBN|0486431452}}.</ref><ref>''Border Fury, England and Scotland at War 1296–1568'' by [[John Sadler (historian)|John Sadler]], p 275, {{ISBN|1405840226}}.</ref> as part of the continuing border skirmishes between the [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scots]] and [[Kingdom of England|English]]. |
The '''Battle of Otterburn''' took place according to Scottish sources on 5 August 1388,<ref>Tom Steel, ''Scotland's Story'', p. 57, {{ISBN|0006370039}}.</ref><ref>''The Hundred Years' War'' by [[Anne Curry]], p. 53, {{ISBN|1841762695}}.</ref> or 19 August according to English sources,<ref>''The English and Scottish Popular Ballads'' by [[Francis James Child]], p. 292, {{ISBN|0486431452}}.</ref><ref>''Border Fury, England and Scotland at War 1296–1568'' by [[John Sadler (historian)|John Sadler]], p. 275, {{ISBN|1405840226}}.</ref> as part of the continuing border skirmishes between the [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scots]] and [[Kingdom of England|English]]. |
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The best remaining record of the battle is from [[Jean Froissart]]'s ''[[Froissart's Chronicles|Chronicles]]'' in which he claims to have interviewed veterans from both sides of the battle. His account is still regarded with some concern as details, such as the distance between [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] and [[Otterburn, Northumberland|Otterburn]], are incorrect. |
The best remaining record of the battle is from [[Jean Froissart]]'s ''[[Froissart's Chronicles|Chronicles]]'' in which he claims to have interviewed veterans from both sides of the battle. His account is still regarded with some concern as details, such as the distance between [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] and [[Otterburn, Northumberland|Otterburn]], are incorrect. |
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The Scottish |
The Scottish nobles [[James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas|James, 2nd Earl of Douglas]] and [[John Dunbar, Earl of Moray]] led their army toward Durham while [[Archibald Douglas, 3rd Earl of Douglas]] at the time Lord of Galloway, and [[Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany]], at the time Earl of Fife, coordinated a simultaneous attack on Carlisle Castle.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brown |first1=Michael |title=The Black Douglases |date=1998 |publisher=Tuckwell Press Ltd. |location=East Linton, Scotland |pages=76–77}}</ref> It was timed to take advantage of divisions on the English side between [[Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland]] and [[Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland]] who had just taken over defence of the border and partly in revenge for King Richard II's invasion of Scotland three years previously. |
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== |
==Battle== |
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The Scots |
The Scots fielded two armies, with Archibald Douglas's force and their [[baggage train]] heading to attack [[Carlisle]], while another force under the Earl of Douglas and Earl of Moray ravaged the countryside around [[Durham, England|Durham]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]. Northumberland sent his two sons [[Harry Hotspur]] and Sir Ralph Percy to engage while he stayed at [[Alnwick]] to cut off the Scottish retreat. |
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Froissart says that the first fighting included a meeting of the Earl of Douglas and Henry Percy in hand-to-hand combat, in which Percy's [[pennon]] was captured. Douglas then moved off destroying the castle at [[Ponteland]] and besieging Otterburn Castle (now [[Otterburn Tower]]). Percy attacked Douglas's encampment with a surprise attack in the late afternoon, but first encountered the Earl's serving men, giving the bulk of the forces time to muster and attack them on their flank. |
Froissart says that the first fighting included a meeting of the Earl of Douglas and Henry Percy in hand-to-hand combat, in which Percy's [[pennon]] was captured. The Earl of Douglas then moved off, destroying the castle at [[Ponteland]] and besieging Otterburn Castle (now [[Otterburn Tower]]). Percy attacked Douglas's encampment with a surprise attack in the late afternoon, but first encountered the Earl's serving men, giving the bulk of the forces time to muster and attack them on their flank. |
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Douglas led the left wing, while |
James Douglas led the left wing, while Dunbar led the right. Hotspur's men, having ridden up from Newcastle, were tired and disorganized as they made their way onto the field. Hotspur was so overly confident that he attacked the Scots while the rest of his force was still marching up through [[Otterburn, Northumberland|Otterburn]]. |
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During the battle on a moonlit night Douglas was killed; his death had no influence on the outcome of the battle and went unnoticed until much later. The Percys were both captured. Sir John Montgomery, 9th of Eaglesham, captured Henry Percy (later using the ransom to build Polnoon Castle) with the remaining English force retreating to Newcastle. Despite Percy's force having an estimated three to one advantage over the Scots, Froissart records 1,040 English were captured and 1,860 killed whereas 200 Scots were captured and 100 were killed. ''[[The Westminster Chronicle]]'' estimates Scottish casualties at around 500. |
During the battle on a moonlit night Douglas was killed; his death had no influence on the outcome of the battle and went unnoticed until much later. The Percys were both captured. Sir John Montgomery, 9th of Eaglesham, captured Henry Percy (later using the ransom to build [[Polnoon Castle]]) with the remaining English force retreating to Newcastle. Despite Percy's force having an estimated three to one advantage over the Scots, Froissart records 1,040 English were captured and 1,860 killed whereas 200 Scots were captured and 100 were killed. ''[[The Westminster Chronicle]]'' estimates Scottish casualties at around 500. |
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Some have suggested that Hotspur's rashness and eagerness to engage the Scots and the added tiredness of the English army after its long march north, were without doubt, the reasons for English defeat, despite having a three to one advantage in numbers. It is possible that the reasons for this defeat may be more complex, however. |
Some have suggested that Hotspur's rashness and eagerness to engage the Scots and the added tiredness of the English army after its long march north, were without doubt, the reasons for English defeat, despite having a three to one advantage in numbers. It is possible that the reasons for this defeat may be more complex, however. |
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Such a decisive victory kept the two sides apart for some time. Of such renown was the battle of Otterburn that several [[ballad]]s were composed in its honour including ''[[The Battle of Otterburn (ballad)|The Battle of Otterburn]]'' and ''[[The Ballad of Chevy Chase]]'' ([[Child ballad]]s 161 and 162). Chevy Chase rather mangles the history of the battle and may be confusing other conflicts at around the same time but it is still cited as one of the best of the ancient ballads.{{Cn|date=September 2021}} |
Such a decisive victory kept the two sides apart for some time. Of such renown was the battle of Otterburn that several [[ballad]]s were composed in its honour including ''[[The Battle of Otterburn (ballad)|The Battle of Otterburn]]'' and ''[[The Ballad of Chevy Chase]]'' ([[Child ballad]]s 161 and 162). Chevy Chase rather mangles the history of the battle and may be confusing other conflicts at around the same time but it is still cited as one of the best of the ancient ballads.{{Cn|date=September 2021}} |
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The [[Percy Cross]], located just off the [[A696 road|A696]], was erected before 1400 to commemorate the Battle of Otterburn.<ref name="ArmstrongWalsh2006">{{cite book |last1=Armstrong |first1=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5wEZgyYnoikC&pg=PA93 |title=Otterburn 1388: Bloody Border Conflict |last2=Walsh |first2=Stephen | |
The [[Percy Cross]], located just off the [[A696 road|A696]], was erected before 1400 to commemorate the Battle of Otterburn.<ref name="ArmstrongWalsh2006">{{cite book |last1=Armstrong |first1=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5wEZgyYnoikC&pg=PA93 |title=Otterburn 1388: Bloody Border Conflict |last2=Walsh |first2=Stephen |year=2006 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84176-980-6 |pages=93– |accessdate=17 December 2011}}</ref> |
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==Houses involved in the battle== |
==Houses involved in the battle== |
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Some of the various Scottish Lowland families involved in this battle were the [[Clan Hall]] [[Clan Swinton|Swintons]], [[Clan Johnstone|Johnstones]], [[Clan Graham|Grahams]], [[Clan Gordon|Gordons]], [[Clan Lindsay|Lindsays]], [[Clan Leslie|Leslies]], [[Clan Heron|Herons]], and [[Clan Montgomery|Montgomerys]].<ref>[https:// |
Some of the various Scottish Lowland families involved in this battle were the [[Clan Hall]] [[Clan Swinton|Swintons]], [[Clan Johnstone|Johnstones]], [[Clan Graham|Grahams]], [[Clan Gordon|Gordons]], [[Clan Lindsay|Lindsays]], [[Clan Leslie|Leslies]], [[Clan Heron|Herons]], and [[Clan Montgomery|Montgomerys]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=139q7Wmb5vYC&dq=Otterburn+johnston&pg=PA266 Vincent Stuckey Lean, ''Lean's Collection'', p. 266]</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*Hardyng, John, ''Chronicles'', 1812. |
*Hardyng, John, ''Chronicles'', 1812. |
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*''Pluscarden, the Book of'', ed. F. H. Skene, 1880. |
*''Pluscarden, the Book of'', ed. F. H. Skene, 1880. |
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*''The Westminster Chronicle, |
*''The Westminster Chronicle, 1381–1394'', ed. and trans. by L. C. Hector and B. F. Harvey, 1982. {{ISBN?}} |
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*Wyntoun, Andrew of, ''Origynal Chronicle of Scotland'', ed F. |
*Wyntoun, Andrew of, ''Origynal Chronicle of Scotland'', ed. F.J. Amours, 1908. |
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;Secondary |
;Secondary |
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*[https://archive.org/details/annalshouseperc00fonbgoog Fonblanque, E. B., ''Annals of the House of Percy'', London 1887.] |
*[https://archive.org/details/annalshouseperc00fonbgoog Fonblanque, E. B., ''Annals of the House of Percy'', London 1887.] |
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*Grant, A., ''The Otterburn War from a Scottish Point of View'', in War and Border Societies in the Middle Ages, ed A. Goodman and A. Took, 1992. |
*Grant, A., ''The Otterburn War from a Scottish Point of View'', in War and Border Societies in the Middle Ages, ed. A. Goodman and A. Took, 1992. {{ISBN?}} |
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*Robson, J., ''Border Battles and Battlefields'', 1897. |
*Robson, J., ''Border Battles and Battlefields'', 1897. |
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*Tyson, C, ''The Battle of Otterburn: When and Where was it Fought?,'' in War And Border Societies, see above. |
*Tyson, C, ''The Battle of Otterburn: When and Where was it Fought?,'' in War And Border Societies, see above. |
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*Walton, R. H., ''The Otterburn Story,'' in History of the Berwickshire Naturalist Club, vol. 35, 1961. |
*Walton, R. H., ''The Otterburn Story,'' in History of the Berwickshire Naturalist Club, vol. 35, 1961. |
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*Wesencraft, C. F., ''The Battle of Otterburn'', 1988. |
*Wesencraft, C. F., ''The Battle of Otterburn'', 1988. {{ISBN?}} |
||
*White, R. H., ''The History of the Battle of Otterburn'', 1857. |
*White, R. H., ''The History of the Battle of Otterburn'', 1857. |
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Revision as of 15:15, 5 August 2024
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2011) |
Battle of Otterburn | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Anglo-Scottish Wars | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Kingdom of England | Kingdom of Scotland | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Sir Henry Percy (POW) |
Sir John Dunbar Earl of Moray Sir James Lindsay Sir John Swinton Sir John De Montgomery of Eglesham Sir Robert Herriot Sir John Tories of Inverleith Sir William of London | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Up to 8,000 | Up to 6,000 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Up to 1,800 killed. More wounded, and captured | 100 or 500 |
The Battle of Otterburn took place according to Scottish sources on 5 August 1388,[1][2] or 19 August according to English sources,[3][4] as part of the continuing border skirmishes between the Scots and English.
The best remaining record of the battle is from Jean Froissart's Chronicles in which he claims to have interviewed veterans from both sides of the battle. His account is still regarded with some concern as details, such as the distance between Newcastle upon Tyne and Otterburn, are incorrect.
The Scottish nobles James, 2nd Earl of Douglas and John Dunbar, Earl of Moray led their army toward Durham while Archibald Douglas, 3rd Earl of Douglas at the time Lord of Galloway, and Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, at the time Earl of Fife, coordinated a simultaneous attack on Carlisle Castle.[5] It was timed to take advantage of divisions on the English side between Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland and Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland who had just taken over defence of the border and partly in revenge for King Richard II's invasion of Scotland three years previously.
Battle
The Scots fielded two armies, with Archibald Douglas's force and their baggage train heading to attack Carlisle, while another force under the Earl of Douglas and Earl of Moray ravaged the countryside around Durham and Newcastle. Northumberland sent his two sons Harry Hotspur and Sir Ralph Percy to engage while he stayed at Alnwick to cut off the Scottish retreat.
Froissart says that the first fighting included a meeting of the Earl of Douglas and Henry Percy in hand-to-hand combat, in which Percy's pennon was captured. The Earl of Douglas then moved off, destroying the castle at Ponteland and besieging Otterburn Castle (now Otterburn Tower). Percy attacked Douglas's encampment with a surprise attack in the late afternoon, but first encountered the Earl's serving men, giving the bulk of the forces time to muster and attack them on their flank.
James Douglas led the left wing, while Dunbar led the right. Hotspur's men, having ridden up from Newcastle, were tired and disorganized as they made their way onto the field. Hotspur was so overly confident that he attacked the Scots while the rest of his force was still marching up through Otterburn.
During the battle on a moonlit night Douglas was killed; his death had no influence on the outcome of the battle and went unnoticed until much later. The Percys were both captured. Sir John Montgomery, 9th of Eaglesham, captured Henry Percy (later using the ransom to build Polnoon Castle) with the remaining English force retreating to Newcastle. Despite Percy's force having an estimated three to one advantage over the Scots, Froissart records 1,040 English were captured and 1,860 killed whereas 200 Scots were captured and 100 were killed. The Westminster Chronicle estimates Scottish casualties at around 500.
Some have suggested that Hotspur's rashness and eagerness to engage the Scots and the added tiredness of the English army after its long march north, were without doubt, the reasons for English defeat, despite having a three to one advantage in numbers. It is possible that the reasons for this defeat may be more complex, however.
Aftermath
Such a decisive victory kept the two sides apart for some time. Of such renown was the battle of Otterburn that several ballads were composed in its honour including The Battle of Otterburn and The Ballad of Chevy Chase (Child ballads 161 and 162). Chevy Chase rather mangles the history of the battle and may be confusing other conflicts at around the same time but it is still cited as one of the best of the ancient ballads.[citation needed]
The Percy Cross, located just off the A696, was erected before 1400 to commemorate the Battle of Otterburn.[6]
Houses involved in the battle
Some of the various Scottish Lowland families involved in this battle were the Clan Hall Swintons, Johnstones, Grahams, Gordons, Lindsays, Leslies, Herons, and Montgomerys.[7]
References
Notes
- ^ Tom Steel, Scotland's Story, p. 57, ISBN 0006370039.
- ^ The Hundred Years' War by Anne Curry, p. 53, ISBN 1841762695.
- ^ The English and Scottish Popular Ballads by Francis James Child, p. 292, ISBN 0486431452.
- ^ Border Fury, England and Scotland at War 1296–1568 by John Sadler, p. 275, ISBN 1405840226.
- ^ Brown, Michael (1998). The Black Douglases. East Linton, Scotland: Tuckwell Press Ltd. pp. 76–77.
- ^ Armstrong, Peter; Walsh, Stephen (2006). Otterburn 1388: Bloody Border Conflict. Osprey Publishing. pp. 93–. ISBN 978-1-84176-980-6. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
- ^ Vincent Stuckey Lean, Lean's Collection, p. 266
Sources
- Primary
- Froissart, Jean, Chronicles, 1903 ed.
- Hardyng, John, Chronicles, 1812.
- Pluscarden, the Book of, ed. F. H. Skene, 1880.
- The Westminster Chronicle, 1381–1394, ed. and trans. by L. C. Hector and B. F. Harvey, 1982. [ISBN missing]
- Wyntoun, Andrew of, Origynal Chronicle of Scotland, ed. F.J. Amours, 1908.
- Secondary
- Fonblanque, E. B., Annals of the House of Percy, London 1887.
- Grant, A., The Otterburn War from a Scottish Point of View, in War and Border Societies in the Middle Ages, ed. A. Goodman and A. Took, 1992. [ISBN missing]
- Robson, J., Border Battles and Battlefields, 1897.
- Tyson, C, The Battle of Otterburn: When and Where was it Fought?, in War And Border Societies, see above.
- Walton, R. H., The Otterburn Story, in History of the Berwickshire Naturalist Club, vol. 35, 1961.
- Wesencraft, C. F., The Battle of Otterburn, 1988. [ISBN missing]
- White, R. H., The History of the Battle of Otterburn, 1857.
External links
- Froissart's account of the battle
- Map sources for Percy's Cross which marks the battlefield
- 1388 in England
- 1388 in Scotland
- Conflicts in 1388
- Battles between England and Scotland
- Military history of Northumberland
- House of Douglas and Angus
- Registered historic battlefields in England
- Battles of the Middle Ages
- Otterburn, Northumberland
- Night battles
- 14th-century military history of Scotland
- 14th-century military history of the Kingdom of England