Capture of Berwick (1296)

The Capture of Berwick was a battle of the First War of Scottish Independence in 1296. After a raid on Carlisle, the English, under Edward I, started a conquest into Scotland. They went to capture Berwick-upon-Tweed, a city that sat right on the border. The garrison was commanded by William the Hardy, Lord of Douglas. The English were under Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford. The English brutally took the city. As many as 10,000 men, women and children were killed. Even a woman giving birth was hacked to pieces during her labour. Then they took the castle. Douglas surrendered, his life and those of his garrison were spared.