Map Description
History Map of Northern England
Illustrating
The Anglo-Norman Rebellion 1173-1174
Strike Against William
(William I, known as William the Lion, reigned as King of Scotland from 1165 to 1214)
- Principal Fortress
- Castle
- Approximate border of Cumbria (Scottish to 1092)
- Modern border
Dispersed ravagers
Go here to read Jordan Fantosme's
Chronicle of the War Between the English and the Scots in 1173 and 1174
Scroll down to Lines 1700 - 1893.
On July 12, 1174, the Second Battle of Alnwick took place, marking
a significant moment in the conflict between Scotland and England during the Great Rebellion against
King Henry II.
This battle was characterized more as a skirmish due to its scale and the circumstances surrounding it.
In more detail:
William I of Scotland, known as William the Lion, had invaded England in pursuit of claims over northern
territories, particularly after failing to capture key castles like Carlisle and Prudhoe. Frustrated by
these setbacks, he decided to ravage the coastal plains of Northumberland, leading to his encampment near
Alnwick Castle with a small force of approximately 60 men.
On the night of July 11, a contingent of around 400 mounted knights led by
Ranulf de Glanvill, Sheriff of Westmorland, set out from Newcastle. Despite being lost in fog,
they managed to reach Alnwick by dawn on July 12.
Upon arrival, they discovered William's camp largely unguarded due to the dispersion of his forces for
looting and pillaging.
When alerted to the English knights' presence, William rushed to defend his position. However, his
forces were caught off guard. The ensuing confrontation was brief; William's horse was killed beneath
him during the chaos, leading to his capture along with many of his remaining men who surrendered.
William's capture had immediate and severe repercussions for Scotland. He was taken prisoner and later
forced to agree to the Treaty of Falaise, which recognized Henry II as
his overlord and imposed heavy tribute on Scotland.
This event effectively ended the rebellion and marked a significant setback for Scottish ambitions in
England.
Credits
Courtesy of the United States Military Academy Department of History.
Related Maps
Map of England and France 1069-1135Map of England and France 1455-1494
Related Links
About the Anglo-Norman Rebellion of 1173About William I the Lion
About Henry II
About Eleanor of Aquitaine
About Aquitaine
About Louis VII
Click map to see original size.
More History
