Homildon Hill

Homildon Hill, a battlefield in Northumberland, 1 mile NE. of Wooler. In 1402 Earl Douglas at the head of 10,000 Scots had ravaged England as far as Newcastle, and was returning laden with booty, when on 14th September he was intercepted by an English army under Hotspur and the exiled Earl of March and Dunbar, so posted himself upon Homildon (Humbleton) Hill. Hotspur was eager for a headlong charge, but, by March's advice, the bowmen were set to play upon the Scots, who 'stood long like deer in a park to be butchered,' and, too late descending to come to close quarters, sustained an irretrievable defeat. Douglas himself was wounded in five places, and was taken prisoner, with four other earls, two barons, and eighty knights. See HENRY IV.