(NY 87649384) Site of the Battle of Otterburn (GT). AD 1388. (1)

The battle, between an army of some 4000 men under James Earl of Douglas and 600 spearmen and 8000 infantry under Sir Henry Percy, was fought in 1388 outside Otterburn. Froissart gives 19th August as the day, while Buchannan gives the 21st July and Harding St Oswald's Day, the 5th August.
Speed's map shows the site of the battle to have been on the east side of the Otter, near a wood, in the Davyshield district, about 10 furlongs from Otterburn, and at a short distance from the ancient track way from Newcastle through Elsden, by the Broken-Moss into Scotland.
The place, in the notes to the 'Border Minstrelsy' and to Johne's Froissart is called Battlecrofts while Dr Percy calls it Battle-Riggs, and is sited on the west side of the Otter between the public highway and the farm called Greenchester. Armstrong, on his map, 1769, marks the spot with a cross called 'Battle Stone' (see NY 89 SE 19). (2)

The battle took place on the evening of 19th August 1388 between the Scots (house of Douglas) and the English (the Percys). Douglas commanded 6000-7000 men and the Percys 7000-8000 men. The Scots won the day capturing Henry (Hotspur) and Ralph Percy. (3)

Battle of Otterburn 19th August 1388. 18,000 Englishmen killed and a vast number taken prisoner. Battle had no effect on history - only a contest between two families. (4)

[Description of battle]. (5)

The site of the Battle of Otterburn is a registered battlefield. For the designation record of this site please see The National Heritage List for England. (6)

Additional reference. (7)

The site of the Battle of Otterburn is located in Otterburn, Northumberland. The battle was fought on the 19th August 1388 and was conducted by the English and the Scottish. The Scots decided to take advantage of the disunity caused in England by the power struggle between King Richard II and the Lords Appellant by mounting a large-scale cross-border raid. James, the 2nd Earl of Douglas, led a raiding force into north-eastern England while Sir Archibald Douglas marched westward by Carlisle. The Earl of Northumberland duly sent his sons Sir Henry Percy (known as 'Hotspur') and Sir Ralph Percy to block Sir James Douglas's progress at Newcastle. During a skirmish at the gates of Newcastle, Douglas captured Hotspur's lance pennon. Hotspur swore to recapture the pennon before the Scots re-crossed the border. Douglas retorted that he would be delighted for Hotspur to try and that the pennon might be found displayed before his tent. Hotspur's army of between 7,000 and 8,000 men set out after the retiring Scots and by 19 August the English knew that the enemy had made camp at Otterburn. Douglas confidently awaited the arrival of the English.
As the Scottish prepared for night on 19 August the English appeared to the east, and Hotspur, pausing only to dispatch Sir Thomas Umfraville with 3,000 men on an outflanking march to the north, launched an immediate attack. Douglas commanded 6,000-7,000 men. Forming them in two divisions, he sent one division forward to hold Hotspur, whilst he led the other against the enemy's right flank. In close-quarter combat at night the English longbows were useless and gradually the Scots began to gain the upper hand. At some point in the fight Douglas was killed, but the English continued to give ground and both Hotspur and Ralph were captured. By morning the Scots were masters of the field, and finding that the retreating English were still capable of fighting off pursuit they resumed their march northwards. (8a,b)

Further information on the Battle of Otterburn. (8c,d).

The National Grid Reference for the building is: NY87649384 (8e)

General association with HER 8283 (Percy Cross), HER 8286 (Battle Cross). (8)