alternatehistory.com
1334: Scotland
1334: BERWICK AND HALIDON HILL
"...Between them, the Prince and Edward Balliol reduced much of the city of Berwick to rubble, leaving a depleted garrison guarding the citadel. The Warden of Berwick agreed to surrender if the city was not relieved in two weeks--when this time passed, and the city did not surrender, Prince Edward began to hang his hostages, starting with the son of the garrison commander, and continued at two a day, in hopes to break the garrison's will and punish them for breaking their faith[1]. The army of Sir Archibald, facing the imminent surrender of Berwick, found itself forced to commit to a battle against an English army, on that army's terms. The Prince set his army upon Halidon Hill, hoping to use his archers to their greatest advantage.
"His hopes would be met beyond his wildest imaginings. Forced off their horses by muddy ground, the Scots first advanced hopelessly on foot, uphill, through a hail of arrows, then broke themselves on the disciplined English lines... Fleeing the battle, the retreating Scots found that the camp followers had fled with their horses. Some fled on foot, and were run down, over distances as far as five miles--others flung themselves into the sea in desperation. The whole count of the dead is unknowable. Among the slain in the battle itself were Sir Archibald Douglas, and five Scottish Earls[2]. Robert Stewart, Great Steward of the Realm and nephew and heir to young King John, saw his uncle and tutor Sir James Stewart killed before his very eyes, then took the stomach wound that would kill him over a week later, 'ranting and raving for Christ's deliverance from his sufferings' by one account[3]. The burgeoning Scottish resistance had been gutted, and many felt certain that the Scottish wars were at last over...
"When news of the victory reached King Edward in London in the midst of ordering celebrations for his newly-born son Thomas, he had the celebrations doubled 'that all may know my great joy'. For the Prince, Halidon Hill was a defining moment, even more than his suppression of the rebels during the Earl of Kent's Rising and subsequent seizing of power. For the rest of his life, Edward would bear a supreme faith in English arms gained in this battle, one that would banish the disappointments of Saint-Sardos..."
--From This Terrible Majesty (Vol. 1): Prince and Steward by Augusta Lyme (1978)
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[1] These were Edward's actions during his OTL siege of Berwick as well. No one ever accused Edward III of having a soft heart.
[2] The OTL battle of Halidon Hill went just as badly for the Scots.
[3] Obviously, IOTL, Robert Stewart lived, and went on to become King Robert II. He did however see his uncle James killed before his eyes during Halidon.
"...Between them, the Prince and Edward Balliol reduced much of the city of Berwick to rubble, leaving a depleted garrison guarding the citadel. The Warden of Berwick agreed to surrender if the city was not relieved in two weeks--when this time passed, and the city did not surrender, Prince Edward began to hang his hostages, starting with the son of the garrison commander, and continued at two a day, in hopes to break the garrison's will and punish them for breaking their faith[1]. The army of Sir Archibald, facing the imminent surrender of Berwick, found itself forced to commit to a battle against an English army, on that army's terms. The Prince set his army upon Halidon Hill, hoping to use his archers to their greatest advantage.
"His hopes would be met beyond his wildest imaginings. Forced off their horses by muddy ground, the Scots first advanced hopelessly on foot, uphill, through a hail of arrows, then broke themselves on the disciplined English lines... Fleeing the battle, the retreating Scots found that the camp followers had fled with their horses. Some fled on foot, and were run down, over distances as far as five miles--others flung themselves into the sea in desperation. The whole count of the dead is unknowable. Among the slain in the battle itself were Sir Archibald Douglas, and five Scottish Earls[2]. Robert Stewart, Great Steward of the Realm and nephew and heir to young King John, saw his uncle and tutor Sir James Stewart killed before his very eyes, then took the stomach wound that would kill him over a week later, 'ranting and raving for Christ's deliverance from his sufferings' by one account[3]. The burgeoning Scottish resistance had been gutted, and many felt certain that the Scottish wars were at last over...
"When news of the victory reached King Edward in London in the midst of ordering celebrations for his newly-born son Thomas, he had the celebrations doubled 'that all may know my great joy'. For the Prince, Halidon Hill was a defining moment, even more than his suppression of the rebels during the Earl of Kent's Rising and subsequent seizing of power. For the rest of his life, Edward would bear a supreme faith in English arms gained in this battle, one that would banish the disappointments of Saint-Sardos..."
--From This Terrible Majesty (Vol. 1): Prince and Steward by Augusta Lyme (1978)
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[1] These were Edward's actions during his OTL siege of Berwick as well. No one ever accused Edward III of having a soft heart.
[2] The OTL battle of Halidon Hill went just as badly for the Scots.
[3] Obviously, IOTL, Robert Stewart lived, and went on to become King Robert II. He did however see his uncle James killed before his eyes during Halidon.
- Space Oddity
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