BattlefieldsDavid I Scots Raid Yorkshire 1138
Medieval

David I Scots Raid Yorkshire 1138

1138
North Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Scottish ravaging of Yorkshire 1138 · Galwegians in Yorkshire 1138
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
North Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Yorkshire population
Forces
Yorkshire c.300–800; raiding.
VS
Victor
Scotland (David I raiding forces)
Forces
Scots c.1,500–3,000
Outcome
Yorkshire ravaged deep into the county; great plunder and captives taken
The Battle

History & Significance

During David I's great invasion of 1138 in support of Empress Matilda, Scottish and Galwegian raiding parties penetrated deep into Yorkshire. The atrocities committed by the Galwegians -- raping women, killing children, spearing priests -- were described with horror by contemporaries including Ailred of Rievaulx, who was a young man at the time. The raids reached as far as Thirsk and Northallerton. The shock of these atrocities helped bring the English defenders together for the Battle of the Standard.

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