Battlefields›Battle of Elphinstone
Early Medieval

Battle of Elphinstone

1093
Midlothian, Scotland
Also known as: Battle of Elphinstone Tower
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Midlothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Normans / English-backed (Duncan II)
Forces
Duncan II/English-backed: c.1,500–2,500.
VS
Victor
Scots (Donald III)
Forces
Donald III's Scots: c.2,500–4,000
Outcome
Donald III victory; Duncan II killed; Norman influence in Scotland temporarily checked
The Battle

History & Significance

King Duncan II, who had been installed with English support after William Rufus invaded, was killed by his own supporters acting on behalf of Donald III. The battle highlighted the tension between the Normanising tendencies of the Scottish crown and traditional Gaelic kingship.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Elphinstone

Fordel Mains,fort 350m SW of
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~1.3 miles
Easter Cowden, enclosures
Scheduled monument · Post-Medieval · ~1.6 miles
Fuffet Wood,enclosure and cropmarks 100m E of
Scheduled monument · Post-Medieval · ~1.7 miles
Preston Mains,enclosure
Scheduled monument · Post-Medieval · ~2 miles
Preston Toll,fort
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~2.1 miles
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
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