The Battle of Neville’s Cross (Battle of Durham) had its origins in the Hundred Years War between England and France which lasted from 1338 to 1453. On 26 August 1346, an English army commanded jointly by King Edward III and his son, Edward the Black Prince, defeated the French army at the Battle of Crécy. It has been written that, at the end of this battle:

"The flower of the French aristocracy lay dead upon the field."

In desperation, King Philip VI of France appealed to his friend and ally King David II of Scotland to create a diversion by launching an attack on Northern England. In response to this plea - and, perhaps, in the hope of gaining a reputation equal to that of his father, Robert the Bruce - King David personally led a Scots army of over 12,000 men southwards. His immediate intention was to capture the mighty fortress stronghold of Durham. In reply, a small English army of some 5,000 men under the overall command of the Archbishop of York hurriedly moved northwards from Yorkshire to reinforce Durham and to confront the Scots army.

King David himself managed to escape. However, legend has it that, while hiding under a bridge over the nearby River Browney, David’s reflection was spotted in the water by a detachment of English soldiers which was out searching for him. David was then captured by John Copeland - the leader of the detachment. Later, King Edward III ordered Copeland to bring the Scots king to Calais and hand him over. Edward then rewarded Copeland with a knighthood and a handsome annuity. King David was brought back to England and imprisoned in the Tower of London. After eleven years in the Tower, he was released in return for a ransom of 100,000 marks - worth about £15 million today!