Battle of Neville’s Cross, 1346

David II invaded northern England in October 1346 while Edward III campaigned in France. English forces assembled under northern magnates and churchmen and met the Scottish army west of Durham near Neville’s Cross.

English archery and defensive positioning disrupted the Scottish formations. David was wounded and captured, along with many nobles, and Scotland was left without its king until his ransom and release in 1357. The defeat exposed southern Scotland to renewed occupation and political division.

Trust and Treason begins in the aftermath, following Archibald Douglas as he returns from the disaster and attempts to organise resistance while his king and mentor remain prisoners.