BattlefieldsBattle of Largs
Early Medieval

Battle of Largs

1263
Ayrshire, Scotland
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Ayrshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Norway (Haakon IV)
Forces
Scottish force; Scots win after storm wrecks Norse fleet
VS
Victor
Scotland (Alexander III)
Forces
c.1,000-2,000 Norwegian landing party
Outcome
Scottish victory; Norway ceded the Western Isles to Scotland by Treaty of Perth 1266
The Battle

History & Significance

King Haakon IV of Norway brought a great fleet to reassert Norse sovereignty over the Western Isles. A storm scattered his ships and a skirmish on the shore at Largs was indecisive, but the campaign failed. Haakon died in Orkney on the way home. The Treaty of Perth three years later transferred the Hebrides to Scotland for 4,000 marks — ending Norse lordship of the islands.

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