BORDER BATTLES

Berwick’s position, so close to the border, resulted in many battles, sieges and bloodshed in both the town and its castle, as England and Scotland fought for control.

1174 England

Berwick Castle is used as part of a ransom to Henry II of England to free William I of Scotland; captured at the Battle of Alnwick.

1189 Scotland

Richard I restores Berwick Castle to William I of Scotland, who helps to fund his crusade.

1216 England

King John of England storms the castle at Berwick, driving the Scottish out.

1292 Scotland

Claimants to the Scottish throne submit their claims to Edward I of England at Berwick. John Balliol is declared the new Scottish king.

1296 England

Edward I attacks and captures Berwick, slaughtering almost the entire population.

1297 Scotland

Berwick town falls to William Wallace of Scotland, following the victory at Stirling Bridge, but the castle remains in the hands of the English.

1298 England

On hearing of the advance of the English army, the Scots abandon the town.

1318 Scotland

Robert the Bruce takes the town; the castle holds out for 3 more months until the food runs out.

1333 England

Edward III defeats the Scots to take Berwick back once again, following a siege which culminated with the Battle of Halidon Hill.

1355 Scotland

Thomas Stewart, Earl of Angus, takes the town after scaling the walls at night, but he fails to take the castle.

1356 England

Edward III retakes Berwick.

1378

Scotland-England

Berwick Castle is taken by a small Scottish army of approximately 40 men, led by Alexander Ramsay. The Earl of Northumberland and his army arrive and retake the castle.

1384

Scotland-England

A warden at the castle is bribed by a group of Scots to hand Berwick over to them. Following an unsuccessful attempt to regain it, the Earl of Northumberland buys Berwick back, returning it to English ownership.

1405 Scotland

Berwick is returned to the Scots by the Earl of Northumberland, following their assistance during the rebellion against Henry IV.

1482 England

Berwick is surrendered to the Duke of Gloucester, later to become Richard III.