BattlefieldsScottish Siege of Carlisle 1315
Medieval

Scottish Siege of Carlisle 1315

1315
Cumberland, England
Also known as: Edward Bruce besieges Carlisle 1315 · Carlisle siege failure 1315
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Cumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (Edward Bruce)
Forces
Carlisle garrison and militia under Harclay
VS
Victor
England (Andrew de Harclay)
Forces
Edward Bruce with c.12,000 Scots
Outcome
Edward Bruce besieged Carlisle for ten days but failed to take it; Harclays determined defence and a sortie drove off the Scots
The Battle

History & Significance

Carlisle was the only major northern English city Bruce could not take. Edward Bruce besieged it in 1315 with a substantial force, but the citys walls, newly repaired, and the resolution of its governor Sir Andrew de Harclay — who would later defeat the Scots at Boroughbridge in 1322 — made it impregnable to assault. After ten days and the failure of escalade attempts, Edward Bruce abandoned the siege. The failure meant the English retained a strong operational base in the north-west for the duration of the war.

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