BattlefieldsMyton-on-Swale — Archbishop Musters Yorkshire Levies 1319
Medieval

Myton-on-Swale — Archbishop Musters Yorkshire Levies 1319

1319
England
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English ecclesiastical levy
Forces
improvised levy of clergy and militia under Archbishop Melton
VS
Victor
Scottish forces
Forces
Scottish cavalry under Douglas and Moray
Outcome
Scottish cavalry routed English ecclesiastical levy; many clergy killed; Edward II abandoned siege of Berwick; strategic diversion succeeded perfectly
The Battle

History & Significance

When Bruce besieged Berwick in 1319, Edward II moved north to relieve it. To draw the English away, a Scottish raiding force under Douglas and Moray struck deep into Yorkshire. The Archbishop of York, William Melton, led an improvised force of clergy, monks and militia to intercept the Scots at Myton on Swale. The Scottish cavalry routed the ecclesiastical levy almost without a fight; so many clergy died that the engagement was mockingly called the Chapter of Myton. Edward II raised the siege of Berwick and withdrew.

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