The year after Bannockburn, Scottish raiding forces swept deep into Yorkshire, burning towns and extorting protection money. Ripon Cathedral paid ransom — the sanctuary knocker on the north door records the custom of claiming sanctuary during raids. Knaresborough was also threatened. These raids demonstrated that England could not protect its northern counties despite having a functioning army — the failure of Edward II to respond effectively humiliated the English crown.
Scottish raiders: c. 2,000–4,000. Yorkshire militia: c. 500–1,500.
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