Battle of Dornock facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Dornock
Part of Second War of Scottish Independence
Date 25 March 1333 Location Dornock, on the western Anglo-Scottish border Result English victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of England	Kingdom of Scotland
Commanders and leaders
Ralph Dacre, 1st Baron Dacre Anthony de Lucy, 1st Baron Lucy	Sir William Douglas, Lord of Liddesdale (POW)
Strength
800	50+
Casualties and losses
2	26+ killed

The Battle of Dornock was a short but important fight that happened on March 25, 1333. It was part of the Second War of Scottish Independence, a time when Scotland and England were often at war. This battle took place near the village of Dornock, close to the border between the two countries.

What Was the Battle of Dornock?

The Battle of Dornock was a small but quick battle during the Second War of Scottish Independence. It involved English and Scottish forces. The English side won this fight.

Why Did the Battle Happen?

In 1333, Edward Balliol wanted to be the King of Scotland. He asked for help from the English King, Edward III. In return for this help, Balliol promised to give a part of Scotland called Lothian to England. King Edward III agreed and gave Balliol more soldiers.

Balliol then went back to Scotland and attacked the Scottish forces at Berwick-upon-Tweed. After many attacks and counter-attacks from both sides, this attempt didn't work out. Neither side gained a real advantage.

Getting Ready for Battle

Because of the fighting at Berwick, three English leaders – William of Lochmaben, Sir Ralph Dacre, and Sir Anthony Lucy – led about 800 English soldiers into an area called Dumfriesshire.

A Scottish leader named William Douglas, Lord of Liddesdale gathered about 50 Scottish defenders. With Sir Humphrey Boys and Sir Humphrey Jardine, they moved to stop the English army.

The Battle Itself

On March 25, 1333, the small Scottish group met the English army at the village of Dornock. We don't know much about the battle itself, because it was over very quickly.

During the fight, 24 Scottish soldiers were killed. This included Sir Humphrey Boys and Sir Humphrey Jardine. William Douglas was captured by the English. The English army reported that they only lost two soldiers.

What Happened Next?

The rest of the Scottish soldiers ran away. William Douglas was taken prisoner and held for two years. King Edward had special orders for how Douglas should be kept.

A Scottish poet named Andrew Wyntoun wrote about the battle in his poem. He said:

That ikle tyme at Lowchmabne
Off Annandyrdale the floure was tane

With off the West Marche men
That had thame in till Ingland then.
Amang thaim Williame of Dowglas
Takyn an till presone was.
That was bot erlys for to tell
Off infortwne that efftyr fell.

This poem means that at Lochmaben, the best soldiers from Annandale and the West Marches were captured and taken to England. Among them, William Douglas was taken prisoner. The poet felt this was just the beginning of bad luck that would happen later.

By the late 1700s, a well in the area was known as the "sword well." This was probably because old weapons or other items from the battle were found nearby.