BattlefieldsWallace's Raids into England 1297
Medieval

Wallace's Raids into England 1297

1297
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Raid of Northumberland 1297 · Wallace in Cumbria 1297
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Northern England
Forces
English militia/settlements c. 1,500–3,000.
VS
Victor
Scotland (William Wallace)
Forces
Scottish raiders c. 2,000–4,000
Outcome
Northumberland and Cumbria burned; vast plunder taken; English population terrorised
The Battle

History & Significance

After Stirling Bridge, Wallace as Guardian of Scotland led a major raid into northern England in the autumn of 1297. His forces burned Northumberland and Cumberland, allegedly sparing only churches. The raid was designed to extract supplies and demonstrate that England could not protect its northern subjects. It was also intended to provoke Edward I into a premature response — though Edward, abroad in Flanders, was not hurried into return.

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