Penshaw Hill, Civil War camp

On the 6th March 1644 the Scots cavalry were encamed on Penshaw Hill observing the Royalist forces as they crossed the Wear in pursuit of the Scots forces at Sunderland, prior to the later Battle of Boldon. After a skirmish in the fields nearby, the Scots fell back to Humbleton Hill while the Marquis regrouped his army at Hastings Hill. Further skirmishes occurred on the afternoon of the 7th until the Royalist withdrew to the fields around Penshaw village. The following day the Scots cavalry, reinforced by musketeers launched another skirmish, but a sudden worsening of the weather allowed the Royalists to retreat to Durham.