Conflict & Date:
The Battle of Dunbar was an early engagement of the First War of Scottish Independence (1296-1328) and was fought on April 27, 1296.
Commanders:
Scotland
- King John Balliol
- John III Comyn, The Red Comyn
England
- John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey
Battle of Dunbar Overview:
With the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris between Scotland and France, King Edward I of England ordered his feudal army to assemble at Newcastle upon Tyne on March 1, 1296. Intending to attack north to punish the Scots for refusing to raise troops on his behalf as well as making a treaty with his enemy, Edward first set his sights on the rich commercial town of Berwick. To counter this, the Scottish army was ordered to muster at Caddonlea, near Selkirk, on March 18. Led by the weak King John Balliol, the Scottish forces were outnumbered and dominated by the king's nobles.
Arriving at his army's camp, Edward began moving north through Alnwick and reached Wark Castle, just south of the Tweed, by March 25. Pausing for Easter, he received oaths of fealty from those Scottish nobles who remained loyal to him. Striking first, a strong Scottish force crossed the border on March 26 and attacked Carlisle. Led by the Earl of Buchan and John III Comyn (The Red Comyn), these troops were unable to breach the town's defenses which were held for Edward by the Lord of Annandale. Ironically, Annandale's son, Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick, was to become Scotland's liberator and future king.
While the Scottish attack was failing, Edward crossed the border at Coldstream and, on March 30, launched a massive assault on Berwick. Overcoming the town's weak defenses, his troops massacred over 7,000 of Berwick's 12,500 inhabitants. In retribution, the Scots raided south into Northumberland on April 8, burning village and abbeys as far south as Hexham. Ignoring the Scottish foray, Edward paused at Berwick for the better part of a month to enhance the town's defenses and re-populate it with loyal burgesses. Moving back into Scotland, the raiders marched north and sought refuge at Dunbar Castle.
Belonging to the Earl of March, who was with Edward, the castle was turned over the Scots by his wife who favored their cause. Dispatching the John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey (and John Balliol's father-in-law) with a large force, Edward ordered the castle retaken. Learning of the English approach, the defenders requested aid from John who was encamped with the main Scottish army at nearby Haddington. Unwilling to personally lead the army, John placed the Red Comyn in command. Marching east to Dunbar, Comyn occupied a strong position on high ground just west of the town on April 27.
Arriving on the field, Surrey began advancing against the Scottish position. As they approached, they were forced to cross a gully and a small stream known as the Spot Burn. In doing so, the English ranks began to break up. Witnessing this, Comyn misinterpreted the situation and ordered his men forward under the belief that the English were retreating. Surging forward in a disorganized charge, the Scots were surprised to find Surrey's lines reorganized. Leading a disciplined attack, Surrey's cavalry drove off their Scottish counterparts before routing the enemy foot soldiers and forcing them from the field.
Aftermath:
Casualties for the Battle of Dunbar are not known with certainty, however the engagement effectively ended the campaign of 1296. Among those captured was the Red Comyn, as well as the earls of Atholl, Mentieth, and Ross. Dunbar Castle surrendered the next day, and with the Scottish army effectively destroyed, Edward soon controlled the castles at Roxburgh, Edinburgh, Stirling, and Perth. Out of options, John surrendered on July 2 and was forced to resign his kingdom six days later at Montrose.
Forced to endure a humiliating ceremony, John had the royal arms torn from his surcoat giving him the nickname Toom Tabard (empty coat) by which he has been known through history. Taken into captivity, he was sent south to London along with the royal Stone of Scone. Scottish fortunes would improve the following year with the victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
Selected Sources
- History of War: Battle of Dunbar
- Nationmaster: Battle of Dunbar
- Magnusson, Magnus. Scotland: The Story of a Nation. New York: Grove Press, 2000
