The BRUTAL Medieval MASSACRE Of Berwick

Throughout the centuries, in particular during the Medieval and Tudor period the relationship between England and the Scottish was strained. War was a common occurrence between the two, and different Kings would try to conquer different territories along the border region. King of England Edward I today as remembered as a feared military leader and also as a man who built many castles that shaped the nation, however in 1296 he inflicted a barbaric massacre on a border Scottish town that shocked those across Europe.

Berwick Upon Tweed is a border town, and today is the last English town before you reach Scotland. But in the latter 13th century it was a thriving port, and Edward I sought to take the town for himself. It changed hands between the Scots and English a number of times, but Edward would brutally order a shocking attack on not just the garrison inside the castle, but on the civilians inside the Town. He ordered his English Army to force their way into the town and massacre anyone they saw in sight.

Estimates suggest that over 7000 people were murdered in cold blood by the English, many of these were even slaughtered inside Churches after they fled to them to claim sanctuary. Edward would completely sack the town, and it was said that the streets ran red with blood. In fact the bloodshed was so much that the mills along the River Tweed turned with blood. Some estimates even suggest that 17000 were massacred including women and children.

So join us today as we look at, 'The BRUTAL Medieval MASSACRE of Berwick.'

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Music - I Am A Man Who Will Fight For Your Honour - Chris Zabriskie.

[stephenfrancis]

There should be a monument erected in Berwick to honour all the inhabitants of the town that were brutally slaughtered in 1296 and also well-done for making a genuine and honest video as many versions are watered down accounts of what actually happened.

[BygoneChina]

Personally, I prefer the videos like this where you visit the historical site you are discussing, I feel the video is much more immersive.

[elizabethspedding]

Thanks for all your hard work making these videos.🌼

[Arkham]

English town with a Scottish postcode. You’re covering Berwick history pretty well, Thank you.

[haveyoueverwondered]

Lover Berwick so much, I'm from the East Midlands but my family all live there and I visit often. So much history within the town that seems to have just been forgotten. Thank you for sharing the story.

[stevefox]

He certainly was the "Hammer of the Scots", a brutal King in brutal times.
Thank you for your hard work, excellent as always. 👍🏻👍🏻

[wendymudkins]

I really look forward to your videos they are always very informative and go in to lots of detail thank you for all your hard work and keep them coming

[adamross]

I love this town. My home town was just over the border. I worked in Berwick and walked along the great walls on my way to bus stop after my shift. The ruins are amazing. Not a lot of structures remain but you can feel the emmencity.

[beccaboo]

I always forget to mention that that art work and scenery are always brilliant.

[ashkash]

Thanks for telling these stories. My schools werent big on teaching us about this time period, being in Texas maybe they didn't think it was essential. But at least now I can learn all the little details.

[funjuror]

I knew nothing of this and visit Berwick quite often as I live in the Scottish Borders. Very informative thank you.

[maxtalbert]

Absolutely love your videos Man thanks for all the hard work and the passion that you obviously have!!

[dancegxy]

I was on a train headed for London when it broke down for several hours and it would have been too late for me to get there. Soneone on the train advised me to get off at Berwick and find a B&B. I did and it was one of the highlights of my entire vacation. The most beautiful, friendly town!

[stevenwillow]

Great story teller and and so much knowledge about history. You need to be on Netflix, at the very least

[dirkbruere]

Sorry - wrong video. I was looking for something on GENTLE medieval massacres

[theearlofmarch]

Great video mate! I love anything you do to with Scottish and English relations! Top stuff! Xx

[Free-Bodge]

Been there and to the border's many times on holiday. Lovely place and the people are quality. Historic and important town I knew, didn't know anything about this though. Nice one .

[TheAshCooper]

Thorough, appreciate it. Keep up the good work

[just_vince]

If history class was presented like this I would have paid attention.

[alana]

Nice video. Would be nice to have a little more background to put the events into historical perspective, both the lead up to the seige and massacre and the consequences in the years after.
Edward's forces took further control in Scotland with many Scots nobles swearing allegiance to Edward and some even joining the English forces in battle. Ultimately however, the attempts to subdue the Scots with fear of horrific reprisals such as Berwick failed the following year as the English were defeated at Stirling Bridge, setting in motion a train of events over the next couple of decades that would eventually lead to the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. A truly fascinating period in the history of this island. Thanks for the video.