Border Battles

A vivid account of the Anglo-Scottish Wars, linking key battles, castles, and campaigns with historical context and modern site guides.

Border Battles describes the events which took place on the battlefields of the Anglo-Scottish Wars, 1018–1513. Author Chris Peers links these with a historical narrative of the campaigns, the political situation which gave rise to them and the geographical factors which shaped them. Included are the two dramatic battles at Alnwick in 1093 & 1174 which highlighted the superiority of Anglo-Norman cavalry, the little known battle of Carham, battles at Berwick on Tweed – the most fought over town in Britain – and Flodden, the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought in the region between the two warring kingdoms, among others.

A chapter is also given to the castles built during this period to defend Northumberland against Scottish incursions, which remain important features in the landscape, discussing the general principles of medieval defensive structures as well as the specific strategic situation, especially at Bamborough, Warkworth, Alnwick and Chillingham castles.

A complementary volume to The Highland Battles (2020) and Clan Battles (2023), each chapter concludes with a guide to visiting the sites, and the book will be illustrated with photographs of both the featured battlefields and other notable sites of interest.