Siege of Berwick (1318)

2nd Berwick

Background

Following the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, Robert the Bruce had recovered all the Scottish Castles taken by the English except Berwick-upon-Tweed. In September of 1317, the Bruce attempted a siege at Berwick, which lasted until he withdrew in November. Due to its value as a port and trade center, it was heavily fortified and sought after by both countries.

In April of 1318, Peter Spalding helped followers of Robert the Bruce infiltrate and seize the town of Berwick from the English. Peter was English, but was married to a cousin of Sir Robert Keith, Great Marischal of Scotland.

Battle

The raiding party was led by James Douglas and Patrick de Dunbar, 9th Earl of March, who took the town after a fight. The men began to plunder the town, which warned the English garrison within the castle of their presence; the Scots failed to take the castle.

Robert the Bruce arrived in Berwick with an army and laid siege to the castle for eleven weeks. The garrison within the castle, led by Maurice de Berkeley, 2nd Baron Berkeley, surrendered due to a lack of supplies.

Aftermath

Robert the Bruce re-established Berwick-upon-Tweed as a Scottish trading port, installing his son-in-law, Walter Stewart, as Keeper. The English burgesses were expelled.

Berwick would change hands between England and Scotland several more times in the years to come, before becoming part of England for good when the town was captured in 1482.