On 17 October 1346, an English army defeated an invading Scottish force near Durham at the Battle of Neville’s Cross. King David II of Scotland was wounded and captured, while much of his army’s leadership was killed or taken prisoner.

The invasion formed part of the wars involving England, Scotland and France. Edward III of England was campaigning in France, where he had won at Crécy and begun the siege of Calais. Philip VI of France asked David to attack England under the terms of the Auld Alliance, hoping to draw English forces away from the siege.

David entered northern England early in October. His army attacked Liddel, occupied Lanercost Priory, sacked Hexham and advanced into the Bishopric of Durham. The Scots camped at Bearpark, west of Durham, on 16 October.

The threat had been anticipated. English forces were assembled under northern leaders including Ralph Neville, Henry Percy and William Zouche, Archbishop of York. As they advanced on the morning of 17 October, they encountered a Scottish raiding party commanded by William Douglas. Douglas escaped and warned David that an English army was close.

Both armies formed three divisions near Neville’s Cross. The English held ground on a narrow ridge, while ditches, enclosed land and the steep surrounding terrain hindered parts of the Scottish force. Fighting continued for several hours. The Scottish division commanded by the Earl of Moray broke, allowing English troops to attack David’s position from the side. Other Scottish forces left the field, and the king’s remaining troops were overwhelmed.

David was captured after the battle and taken to England. He remained a prisoner for eleven years. The Treaty of Berwick secured his release in 1357 in return for a ransom of 100,000 marks. The defeat also allowed England to press further into southern Scotland during the following year.