Capture_of_Roxburgh_(1460)

Capture of Roxburgh (1460)

Capture of Roxburgh (1460)

Siege during Anglo-Scottish Wars

This article is about the siege of 1460. For other sieges and captures of Roxburgh, see Capture of Roxburgh.

The capture of Roxburgh was a siege that took place during the Anglo-Scottish Wars. James II of Scotland had started a campaign to recapture Roxburgh and Berwick from the English, while the rulers of England were occupied with the Wars of the Roses. King James would die during the siege being blown up by a cannon.

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Background

Following the Wars of Scottish Independence a century earlier, Roxburgh was one of the last castles in Scotland still to be held by the English.[1][2] By 1460, England was in the middle of civil war, the Wars of the Roses, and it would seem that both sides had requested the aid of King James in this struggle, with James intending to use the opportunity to take back both Roxburgh and Berwick for Scotland.[3]

Prior to the attack on Roxburgh, the English had believed that Berwick was the target, and were thus outmaneuvered.[4]

Siege of Roxburgh Castle

King James and his army first arrived at Roxburgh in July, first taking and demolishing the English dominated town by bombarding it with Artillery cannon fire.[2][4] When the castle refused to surrender, James began the siege.[4]

On 3 August the James was standing close to one of his cannons when he ordered it to be fired. The cannon exploded, mortally wounding him.[5]

Following his death, James' queen, Mary of Guelders, ordered the army to continue the siege.[6] The castle would surrender on 5 August,[2] with the defenders allowed to depart and no prisoners being taken.[3]

Aftermath

After James II was killed during the siege, the castle was slighted and left in ruins.

Following the siege the castle was destroyed (slighted) so it could not be used by the English again.[3]

With the death of the King, Mary of Guelders and Bishop James Kennedy ruled as regents until James III of Scotland was old enough to rule.[7] During this time, Mary would prove an able diplomat, gaining Berwick in return for supplying aid to the Lancastrians.[8]

References

  1. [1]
    "King James II". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  2. [2]
    Archibald, Malcolm (2016). Dance If Ye Can: A Dictionary of Scottish Battles. Creativia. ISBN 978-1536821796.
  3. [3]
    Buchanan, George (1829). The History of Scotland: With Notes, and a Continuation to the Present Time : in Six Volumes: Volume 2. pp. 100–105. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  4. [4]
    "The Siege of Roxburgh Castle 1460". Scottish Castles Association. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  5. [5]
    Cavendish, Richard (8 August 2010). "James II of Scots killed at Roxburgh". History Today. 60 (8). Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  6. [6]
    Lindsay, Robert (1728). The History of Scotland: From 21 February, 1436. to March, 1565. pp. 58–65. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  7. [7]
    "James III of Scots (1451 - 1488) King (1460)". The Companion to British History, Routledge - Credo Reference. Charles Arnold Baker. 2001. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  8. [8]
    Macdougall, Norman. "Mary of Gueldres". In Cannon, John; Crowcroft, Robert (eds.). The Oxford Companion to British History. Oxford University Press, Inc. Credo Reference. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
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