Capture of Roxburgh (1460)

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.

This article is about the battle in 1460. For the battle in 1314, see Siege of Roxburgh Castle.
Capture of Roxburgh
Part of the Anglo-Scottish Wars
DateJuly-August 1460
Location
Roxburgh Castle, Anglo-Scottish Border
55.5966°N 2.4566°W / 55.5966; -2.4566
Result Limited Scottish victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Scotland
Kingdom of England
Commanders and leaders
James II of Scotland † Unknown
Mary of Guelders Unknown
Strength
Unknown number of infantry and cannons Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

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

King James and his army first arrived at Berwick in July, first taking and demolishing the English dominated town.[2][4] When the castle refused to surrender, James began the siege.[4]

On the 3rd 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 the 5th August,[2] with the defenders allowed to depart and no prisoners being taken.[3]

Aftermath

Following the siege the castle was destroyed 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. "King James II". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  2. Archibald, Malcolm (2016). Dance If Ye Can: A Dictionary of Scottish Battles. Creativia. ISBN 978-1536821796.
  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. "The Siege of Roxburgh Castle 1460". Scottish Castles Association. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  5. Cavendish, Richard (8 August 2010). "James II of Scots killed at Roxburgh". History Today. 60 (8). Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  6. Lindsay, Robert (1728). The History of Scotland: From 21 February, 1436. to March, 1565. pp. 58–65. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  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. 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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