Robert Bruce besieged Carlisle in July-August 1315, the first major Scottish attempt to take the great western border fortress since the twelfth century. The siege lasted ten days and involved a sophisticated assault including siege towers, sapping, and escalade attempts. Carlisle's military governor, Andrew de Harcla, organised the defence brilliantly and the citizens fought alongside the garrison. Bruce's siege failed — the only major fortress he failed to take during his campaigns — partly because of Carlisle's formidable walls and partly because the garrison's morale held under determined leadership.
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