Roxburgh Falls

In the years before 1314 the English presence in Scotland was reduced to a few significant strongholds. There were both strengths and weaknesses in this. The Scots had no heavy equipment or the means of attacking castles by conventional means. However, this inevitably produced a degree of complacency in garrisons provisioned enough to withstand a blockade.

In dealing with this problem the Scots responded in the ‘manner of foxes’, and among the more cunning of their exploits was Douglas’ capture of the powerful fortress at Roxburgh. His tactic, though simple, was brilliantly effective. On the night of 19th/20th February 1314 - Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday - several dark shapes were seen beneath the battlements and mistakenly assumed to be cattle. Douglas had ordered his men to cover themselves with their cloaks and crawl towards the castle on their hands and knees.

With most of the garrison celebrating just prior to the fast of Lent, scaling hooks with rope ladders attached were thrown up the walls. Taken by complete surprise the defenders were overwhelmed in a short space of time. Roxburgh Castle, among the best in the land, was slighted in accordance with Bruce’s policy of denying strongpoints to the enemy.