BattlefieldsBattle of Cowton Moor (reconsidered 1138)
Medieval

Battle of Cowton Moor (reconsidered 1138)

1138
North Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Scots skirmish at Cowton near Northallerton
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
North Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scottish vanguard
Forces
Scots c.500–1,500; skirmish.
VS
Victor
England (local Yorkshire forces)
Forces
England c.1,000–2,000
Outcome
Scottish advance units repulsed before the main Battle of the Standard
The Battle

History & Significance

Before the main engagement at the Battle of the Standard in 1138, Scottish advance units probing toward Northallerton encountered English forces at Cowton Moor and were repulsed. The preliminary skirmishing as both armies manoeuvred for position illustrates that the Battle of the Standard was not a single sudden engagement but the culmination of several days of manoeuvre and patrol action.

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