BattlefieldsBattle of Renfrew (Somerled) 1164
Medieval

Battle of Renfrew (Somerled) 1164

1164
Renfrewshire, Scotland
Also known as: Death of Somerled · Somerled's invasion 1164
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Renfrewshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Somerled of Argyll and the Isles
VS
Victor
Scotland (Malcolm IV forces)
Outcome
Somerled killed; Kingdom of the Isles fragmented among his sons
The Battle

History & Significance

Somerled — ri Innse Gall (King of the Hebrides) and mormaer of Argyll — sailed up the Clyde with a fleet of 164 ships and a force estimated at several thousand men. Whether he intended to make himself king of Scotland or merely extract concessions is debated. He was killed at Renfrew, probably by treachery during negotiations. His death prevented the creation of a powerful Gaelic-Norse kingdom on Scotland's western flank. His descendants became the Lords of the Isles — the most powerful magnates in late medieval Scotland.

Casualties & Losses

Somerled killed; army retreated

Forces Involved

Somerled: c.164 ships with c.4,000–5,000 men. Malcolm IV: c.1,500–2,500 men.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Renfrewshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Renfrewshire