After a raid on Carlisle, the English, under Edward I of England

Edward I of England

Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...

, started a conquest into Scotland. They went to capture Berwick-Upon-Tweed

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border....

, a city that sat right on the border. The garrison was commanded by William the Hardy, Lord of Douglas. The English were under Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford

Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford

Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford, also 1st Lord of Skipton , was an English soldier who became first Lord Warden of the Marches, defending the English border with Scotland. He was born in Clifford Castle, Herefordshire, and was married there in 1295 to Maud de Clare, eldest daughter of...

. The English brutally took the city. As many as 10,000 men, women and children were killed. Even a woman giving birth was hacked to pieces during her labour. Then they took the castle. Douglas surrendered, his life and those of his garrison were spared.