Battle of Otterburn: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Military Conflict |
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|conflict=Battle of Otterburn |
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|partof=Anglo-Scottish border conflicts |
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|image=[[Image:Otterburn_Battle.jpg|300px|Battle of Otterburn]] |
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|caption= |
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|date=[[5 August]], [[1388]] |
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|place=1 mile northwest of [[Otterburn]], [[Northumberland]] |
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|result=Scottish victory |
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|combatant1=[[Scotland]] |
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|combatant2=[[England]] |
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|commander1=[[James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas]] |
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|commander2=[[Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland]] (A.K.A. 'Hotspur') |
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|strength1=around 2,900 |
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|strength2=around 3,200 |
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|casualties1=around 500 |
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|casualties2=1,500 + killed, wounded, and captured |
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}} |
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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]], 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]], are incorrect. |
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Froissart says that the first fighting included the Earl 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. Percy attacked Douglas' 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 the Earl 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. Percy attacked Douglas' 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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During the battle on a moon-lit night Douglas was killed and the Percys were both captured with the remaining English force retreating to Newcastle. Despite Percy's force having an estimated three to one advantage over the Scots Froissart records 1040 English were captured and 1860 killed whereas 200 Scots were captured and 100 were killed. When the [[Bishop of Durham]] advanced from Newcastle with 10,000 men he was so impressed by the ordered appearance of the Scottish force, the din they set up with their horns, and their seemingly unassailable position, that he declined to attack. |
During the battle on a moon-lit night Douglas was killed and the Percys were both captured with the remaining English force retreating to Newcastle. Despite Percy's force having an estimated three to one advantage over the Scots Froissart records 1040 English were captured and 1860 killed whereas 200 Scots were captured and 100 were killed. The [[Westminister Chronicle]] gives the more reliable estimate of Scottish casualties for being around 500 or so. When the [[Bishop of Durham]] advanced from Newcastle with 10,000 men he was so impressed by the ordered appearance of the Scottish force, the din they set up with their horns, and their seemingly unassailable position, that he declined to attack. |
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==Aftermath== |
==Aftermath== |
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Revision as of 03:45, 24 April 2006
| Battle of Otterburn | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Anglo-Scottish border conflicts | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Scotland | England | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas | Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland (A.K.A. 'Hotspur') | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| around 2,900 | around 3,200 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| around 500 | 1,500 + killed, wounded, and captured | ||||||
The Battle of Otterburn took place on the 5 August 1388, as part of the continuing border skirmishes between the Scottish 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 James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas decided to lead a raid—one of a continuing series on both sides of the border—into English territory. It was timed to take advantage of divisions on the English side between Lord Neville and Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland who had just taken over defence of the border.
The battle
The Scots divided their forces with the main force and their baggage train heading towards Carlisle while a raiding party including Earl Douglas ravaged the countryside around Durham and Newcastle. Henry Percy sent his two sons Henry "Hotspur" Percy and Ralph to engage while he stayed at Alnwick to cut off the marauders retreat.
Froissart says that the first fighting included the Earl 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. Percy attacked Douglas' 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.
During the battle on a moon-lit night Douglas was killed and the Percys were both captured with the remaining English force retreating to Newcastle. Despite Percy's force having an estimated three to one advantage over the Scots Froissart records 1040 English were captured and 1860 killed whereas 200 Scots were captured and 100 were killed. The Westminister Chronicle gives the more reliable estimate of Scottish casualties for being around 500 or so. When the Bishop of Durham advanced from Newcastle with 10,000 men he was so impressed by the ordered appearance of the Scottish force, the din they set up with their horns, and their seemingly unassailable position, that he declined to attack.
Aftermath
Such a decisive victory kept the two sides apart for some time. In 1402 the Earl Douglas' son attempted to emulate his father's great victory and hopefully survive but the Battle of Humbleton Hill was almost an exact reverse of Otterburn and a great defeat for the Scots.
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. 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.
External links
- Froissart's account of the battle
- Map sources for Percy's Cross which marks the battlefield
- Various versions of the ballad The Battle of Otterburn