Enlarge

Slaughter at the capture of Berwick

Edward I invaded Scotland following the ratification by the Scottish parliament of the 'auld alliance' treaty between Scotland and France (in February 1296). On 30 March the English captured Berwick, slaughtering most of the inhabitants. This image suggests how easy it would have been for the heavily armed English soldiers to murder the citizens once they had forced their way into the town.

Reference: British Library Royal MS, C vii, f. 133 (date: late 14th century)
By permission of the British Library.
(© Copyright belongs to the British Library and further reproduction is prohibited.)