A Scottish invasion of northern England was repelled by local English forces, shaping territorial negotiations during the Anarchy.
Key Facts
- Date
- 22 August 1138
- Location
- Cowton Moor, near Northallerton, Yorkshire
- Duration of battle
- Approximately three hours
- English commander
- William of Aumale
- Scottish commander
- King David I of Scotland
- Standard bearers (minsters)
- York, Beverley, and Ripon
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
King David I of Scotland invaded England to support his niece Matilda's claim to the English throne against King Stephen and to expand Scottish territory. He had already seized much of Northumberland and advanced south beyond the River Tees toward York, prompting Archbishop Thurstan of York to raise a northern English army from local militia and baronial retinues.
On 22 August 1138, the Scottish army formed four attacking lines against an English force drawn up on open fields north of Northallerton. The initial Scottish assault by unarmoured spearmen against armoured English knights and archers failed decisively. Within three hours the Scottish army disintegrated; King David and his son Henry withdrew with only their immediate companions, having suffered heavy losses in battle and flight.
Though defeated militarily, David reassembled his army at Carlisle, and within a month a truce was negotiated. He subsequently received most of the territorial concessions he had sought, holding them throughout the Anarchy. After David's death, his successor Malcolm IV was forced to surrender those gains to Henry II of England.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
William of Aumale, Archbishop Thurstan of York.
Side B
1 belligerent
King David I of Scotland, Prince Henry of Scotland.