Battle of the Standard

Battle of Northallerton

Background

The Battle of the Standard was part of the conflict for the English Crown between Stephen of Blois and Empress Matilda, known as the Anarchy.

In the summer of 1138, William fitz Duncan, nephew of King David I of Scotland, marched into Yorkshire, raided Craven, and in June defeated the English supporting King Stephen at Clitheroe.

By late July, King David crossed the Tyne into St. Cuthbert's lands with 16,000 troops to support Matilda's claim. Eustace fitz John declared for David and handed Alnwick Castle to him. Eustace's garrison at Malton, north of York, raided the surrounding area for King David and Empress Matilda.

While Stephen was in southern England fighting rebel barons, a local force was left to repel the Scots. Archbishop Thurstan of York mustered an English army of 10,000, mainly local barons and their levies from northern shires, led by William of Aumale and Walter Espec. At the head of the army, a mast on a cart flew the banners of Beverley, Ripon, and York, giving the battle its name.

The English took position across the Great North Road, north of Northallerton, blocking the Scots from advancing south.

King David had hoped to launch a surprise attack, but on the morning of August 22nd, 1138, he found the English well prepared and waiting for him.

Battle

The English formed in a single formation with armored men and most knights at the front. The knights had dismounted and sent their horses to the rear. Archers and lightly equipped local levies supported them. The barons stood with dismounted knights at the center of the line around the standard cart.

The battle began when the unarmored Galwegian spearmen, who had fought with vigor at Clitheroe, charged forward, giving vent to a horrible yell three times. Their fierce attack caused many of the first line English spearmen to abandon their post, but the knights repelled the Galwegians, driving them back and allowing the English spearmen to return to their ranks.

The English archers launched a volley of arrows, causing heavy casualties in the Scottish ranks. The bravery and ineffectiveness of the Galwegians were recorded as follows:

"Like a hedgehog with its quill, so would you see a Galwegian bristling all round with arrows, and nonetheless brandishing his sword, and in blind madness rushing forward now smite a foe, now lash the air with useless strokes."

Heavily outnumbered, the English formed a shield wall behind the standard and resisted several Scottish attacks. Fierce fighting lasted about three hours.

The Galwegians fled after their commanders, Domnall and Ulgric, were killed. The men of Lothian broke when their Earl was killed by an arrow.

King David wanted to stay and fight, but was forced onto his horse and convinced to retire. The English advanced. As the Scots' line melted away, Prince Henry, Earl of Northumberland, led a mounted charge. He broke through the English lines and reached the unarmed horse-holders at their rear. Unsupported by the Scottish army, Henry hid his banners and retreated toward David by mingling with the English.

The English had won the day as the Scottish army fled to Carlisle. It was said that of the army which came forth from Scotland, more than 10,000 were missing from the re-mustered survivors.

Aftermath

The battle ended decisively in England's favor. Despite this, the English failed to press their advantage, and the following year King David negotiated the Treaty of Durham (1139), granting him control of northern England for the next 20 years.

The battle is remembered for the symbolic use of banners, representing both religious devotion and martial unity, and for the use of local levies rather than professional armies in Medieval warfare.