Battle of Nesbit Moor (1402) facts for kids

The Battle of Nesbit Moor was a small but important fight. It happened between Scottish and English forces. The battle took place in the border area, north of the River Tweed. You can find the exact spot on the Kimmerghame Estate. Today, that field is called Slaughter Field.

What Was the Battle of Nesbit Moor?

The Battle of Nesbit Moor was a quick clash in 1402. It was part of the bigger Anglo-Scottish Wars. These wars were a long series of conflicts between England and Scotland. This particular battle showed how tensions were high between the two countries.

Why Did This Battle Happen?

In 1402, Scottish nobles planned to invade Northern England. About 12,000 Scottish soldiers crossed into Cumberland. They took goods from areas near Carlisle. The Battle of Nesbit Moor happened when a smaller group of Scots was returning from one of these raids.

Who Fought at Nesbit Moor?

On June 22, 1402, a group of English soldiers met the returning Scots. The English force had about 200 soldiers. Many of them came from the Berwick-upon-Tweed army base. They were led by George de Dunbar, 10th Earl of March. He was a Scottish noble who had joined the English side. The Scottish force had about 400 soldiers. They were coming back from a raid in Northumberland.

English Victory and Aftermath

The English, though fewer in number, won the battle. They defeated the Scottish raiders. Henry IV of England heard about this fight. He was planning to deal with a rebellion in Wales. But the news made him delay his plans. He wanted to prepare for a larger Scottish invasion that he expected. Later that year, a big Scottish army did invade. They were led by Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas. This led to another major battle, the battle of Humbleton Hill.

Who Was Affected by the Battle?

The Scottish side had many losses at Nesbit Moor. Sir Patrick Hepburn, a young leader, was killed. Several other important Scottish knights were captured. These included Sir John Haliburton, Sir Robert Lauder, Sir John Cockburn, and Sir Thomas Haliburton. Sir Robert Lauder was eventually freed. He was mentioned in a document in 1411, showing he was free by then.