Talk:Battle of Neville's Cross

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WPMILHIST This article is within the scope of the Military history WikiProject. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the project and see a list of open tasks.
Start This article has been rated as Start-Class on the quality scale.

If I can get an accurate list of the casualities, then I'll add a "Battlebox" for this as well. (I'm likely going to use the "no campaign" version, as this battle, while important, doesn't typically appear to be listed as a major battle of the Hundred Years War.) I should be able to find one soon enough. RobertM525 08:15, 27 October 2005 (UTC)

  • Okay, I can't find casualties estimates after all, so I'm going to post a "Battlebox" with as much info in it as I have. I'd prefer otherwise, but I can't find the information so there doesn't appear to be much of a choice for me. RobertM525 07:23, 3 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Location

Do we know exactly where in modern Neville's Cross the battlefield was located, so it can be compared to modern landmarks for identification? I assume there must be some sort of plaque up to pinpoint the site, but I don't myself recall ever seeing anything, or whether the site is still visible or built over. This information might be of interest to readers, especially if anyone wants to visit the site. DWaterson 21:04, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

From the end of Crossgate the road leads across the Browney to Brancepeth. The land between the river and end of Margery Lane is dotted with modern villas, and suburban roads now cross the site of the battle of Neville's Cross. Both Scots and English were drawn up in line on Bearpark (fn. 29) Moor, between the city and the manor-house. Much of the fighting centred on the Red Hills, enclosed land belonging to the Priory (fn. 30) and now cut through by the railway line. The Prior and some of his monks took their stand 'a litle distant from a pece of ground called ye flashe above a close lying hard by north Chilton poole and on ye north side of ye hedge where ye maydes bower had wont to be.' (fn. 31) Here they displayed St. Cuthbert's corporax case and prayed for an English victory. (fn. 32) The Scots were routed by Ralph Lord Nevill and his fellows, King David was badly wounded in the face, and according to tradition he fled down to the Browney and hid under a narrow stone bridge near Aldin Grange, but was there betrayed by his shadow on the water. (fn. 33) However this may be, the King was taken captive by John de Copeland, a Northumberland esquire and husband of one of the heirs of Crook Hall. (fn. 34) In commemoration of his victory Lord Nevill set up the cross whence the district takes its name. (fn. 35) This monument was broken down one night in 1589 (fn. 36) by 'some lewde and contemptuous wicked persons,' but the stump remained in its old position until 1903, when it was moved to a new mound a few yards distant. St Oswalds, Vol 3, Victoria County History for Durham - I think that's the best you'll get.
I have a recollection of being told that the site is roughly where the Duke of Wellington pub now stands - certainly there seems to be the highest point of the area, give or take. The railway is about half a mile north of that, past Crossgate Peth. Shimgray | talk | 23:25, 4 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Shakespeare's Kings

Shakespeare-and the Archbishop-is confusing his kings!. David II was never taken to France. That dubious honour belongs to James I-taken prisoner in 1406-who accompanied Henry V on some of his campaigns. Rcpaterson 23:35, 5 August 2006 (UTC)