Battle of Duns

The Battle of Duns or Battle of Duns Park was an engagement fought in 1372 near the site of the present day town of Duns, Berwickshire.

Battle of Duns
Part of the Anglo-Scottish Wars
Date1372
Location
Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland
Result Scottish victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of England
Commanders and leaders
Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland
Strength
thousands 7,000

Background and battle

In retaliation for previous Scottish raids, Henry, Lord Percy, the English March Warden had invaded Scotland with 7,000 troops, and met little resistance. Having crossed the Merse, the English army camped at Duns awaiting reinforcements. The shepherds and farmers of Duns used a type of rattle out of dried skins with pebbles inside, which they used to scare wild animals away from their crops and beasts. These rattles were put to effect on the English encampment. By frightening the English horses, the English camp awoke in turmoil, in disarray and being harassed by the local peasantry, the English retired over the Border leaving their baggage behind.[1][2]

The motto of the town of Duns: 'Duns dings a'!', is supposed to have come from this battle.

References

Notes
  1. Ridpath, p.347-348
  2. Boece, p.396-397

Sources
  • The Buik of the Croniclis of Scotland : or, A metrical version of the History of Hector Boece ed. Turnbull, W.B., London 1858
  • Brenan, G., History of the House of Percy. London 1902
  • Ridpath, G., The Border History of England and Scotland. London 1776

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