Battle of Clitheroe

The Battle of Clitheroe was a battle between a force of Scots and English knights and men at arms which took place on 10 June 1138 during the period of The Anarchy. The battle was fought on the southern edge of the Bowland Fells, at Clitheroe, Lancashire.

Battle of Clitheroe
Part of the Anarchy
Date 10 June 1138 Location near Bowland Fells in Lancashire Result Scottish victory
Belligerents
England	Scotland
Commanders and leaders
	William fitz Duncan
Strength
unknown	unknown
Casualties and losses
unknown	unknown

Background

During the civil war in England known as The Anarchy, King David I of Scotland chose to fight for his niece, Matilda.[1] At this time, David was also known to be attempting to absorb Northumberland into Scotland.[2] To these ends David led a Scottish army into Northumberland in early 1138, carefully avoiding battle with the forces led by King Stephen of England, until King Stephen was forced to retire south. This left David free to resume his invasion, which he did, crossing into Northumberland on the 15th April and laying siege to Norham Castle.[2]

It was around the time of the siege of Norham castle that William fitz Duncan, the Mormaer of Moray, was placed in command of a part of the Scottish forces, including a contingent of Galwegians, and was sent to raid into the lands of Craven and Clitheroe.[2]

The battle

Not much is known about the battle itself. What is known is that the Scottish forces led by William fitz Duncan encountered a heavily armoured English army in chainmail and helmets near the river Ribble on the 10th June.[3] It is also said that the men of Galloway played a large part in the battle for the Scottish army.[1] These men were known to be lightly armed and armoured, and renowned for their ferocious charges at the enemy.[4]

The battle resulted in a victory for the Scottish army, with English sources saying the river Ribble ran red with blood.[1]

Aftermath

After the battle of Citheroe the Scottish army rampaged around the land, killing many and enslaving others.[5]

Later, William fitz Duncan and his men rejoined the main Scottish army in time for the Battle of the Standard, near Northallerton, on the 22nd August, which was a victory for the English army.[1]

References

1. Archibald, Malcolm (2016). Dance If Ye Can: A Dictionary of Scottish Battles. Creativia. ISBN 1536821799.
2. Cobban, Jennie Lee (2015). "King David of Scotland". The Forgotten Battle of Clitheroe.
3. Cobban, Jennie Lee (2015). "The Anglo-Norman Army". The Forgotten Battle of Clitheroe.
4. Cobban, Jennie Lee (2015). "The Men of Galloway". The Forgotten Battle of Clitheroe.
5. Stevenson, Joseph (1853–58). "Richard of Hexham : De Gestis Regis Stephani". Church Historians of England, volume 4, part 1. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2020.

Further reading

• Oram, Richard, David: The King Who Made Scotland, (Gloucestershire, 2004), pp. 132–3