Events

Battlefields Trust Online Talk: The Battle of Neville's Cross, 17 October 1346

Monday 13th October 2025

In early October 1346, while the English king and his army were engaged in France, David Bruce and his Scottish Army took advantage of their absence to launch a major invasion of the North of England. 

The young David hoped to emulate his father's successes of the 1320's and build up his personal reputation and authority.     

Expecting weak resistance, and a possible repetition of Myton Moor, the Scots were surprised to come face to face with an organised and fully equipped force of English troops on the fields outside Durham on the morning of 17 October.

The talk will discuss the background to the battle, the Scots intentions and movement prior to arriving at Durham along with the mobilisation of the English troops and their march to the battlefield. Using the available sources, the talk will examine some interpretations that have been put forward for the course of the battle.

Mike is retired after a career in the Technical / Quality Assurance side of the food industry, and had a parallel career as a Territorial Royal Engineer, which included staff appointments up to Corps level.

Not an academic, Mike has always had an interest in local history and is a keen hill walker. The Nevile's Cross battlefield area is very local to Mike and became part of his regular walks during Covid, when trips further afield were restricted. This led to him researching and leading a Battlefields Trust Walk over the battlefield last October.

For further information.

• Contact name : Battlefields Trust Online Talks
• Contact email : info@battlefieldstrust.com