BattlefieldsBattle of Clitheroe 1138
Medieval

Battle of Clitheroe 1138

1138
Lancashire, England
Also known as: Scottish raid at Clitheroe · Action at Clitheroe
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Lancashire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Lancashire defenders
Forces
Lancashire defenders: c. 400–800.
VS
Victor
Scotland (Scottish raiders)
Forces
Scottish raiders: c. 800–1,500
Outcome
Scottish raiding force defeated local English resistance; deep penetration into Lancashire
The Battle

History & Significance

During David I's great invasion of England in 1138, Scottish raiding parties penetrated deep into Lancashire — further south than any Scottish army had reached for centuries. At Clitheroe a local English force attempted to intercept a Scottish raiding column and was defeated. The atrocities committed by David's Galwegian troops in northern England — including the killing of women, children and clergy — shocked contemporaries and were reported by writers like Aelred of Rievaulx.

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