Andrew Harclay, 1st Earl of Carlisle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andrew Harclay |
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| Contemporary illustration of Harclay defending Carlisle Castle against the Scots in 1315. | |
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| Predecessor | New creation |
| Successor | Forfeit |
| Born | c. 1270 |
| Died | 3 March 1323 Carlisle, Cumberland |
Andrew Harclay (born around 1270 – died 3 March 1323) was an important English military leader. He served during the reign of King Edward II. Harclay was known for his role in the battles against Scotland.
He came from a knightly family in Westmorland. In 1311, he became the sheriff of Cumberland. Harclay showed great skill in the Scottish Wars. In 1315, he successfully defended Carlisle Castle from a siege by Robert the Bruce. Later, he was captured by the Scots and had to be ransomed.
His biggest success was in 1322. He defeated a powerful rebel, Thomas of Lancaster, at the Battle of Boroughbridge. For this victory, King Edward II made him the first Earl of Carlisle. However, Harclay later made a peace treaty with Robert the Bruce without the king's permission. This was seen as an act of treason. He was arrested, put on trial, and executed in 1323.
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Who Was Andrew Harclay?
Andrew Harclay's family name comes from Hartley in Westmorland. He was likely the oldest son of Sir Michael Harclay and Joan Fitzjohn. His younger brother, Henry Harclay, became a Chancellor at the University of Oxford.
His father, Michael Harclay, worked for the Clifford family. He also served as sheriff of Cumberland from 1285 to 1296. Andrew Harclay first appeared in official records in 1292. At that time, he was probably at least 21 years old, meaning he was born in the early 1270s.
Harclay's Military Career
Andrew Harclay's military journey began around 1304. He took part in a campaign during the Scottish Wars. In 1309, he received a royal order. This order asked him to help Robert de Clifford defend the border areas with Scotland.
His local importance grew in 1311. He was appointed sheriff of Cumberland, just like his father had been. In 1312, he was chosen as a Knight of the Shire. By December 1313, he was leading the defense against a Scottish invasion. He gained more fame in the summer of 1315. He successfully defended Carlisle Castle against a siege led by Robert the Bruce. The king rewarded him with 1000 marks for this success.
Later in 1315 or 1316, the Scots captured Harclay. They demanded a ransom of 2000 marks. His quick rise had made him some enemies. These enemies tried to spread bad rumors about him at court. Still, the king helped raise the money to free Harclay. For a few years, he seemed to lose royal favor. It wasn't until 1319 that he was again made sheriff. He also became the keeper of Carlisle and Cockermouth castles. He was also named Warden of the West Marches. In 1321, he received a personal invitation to attend parliament.
The Battle of Boroughbridge
Harclay's most famous achievement was at the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322. This battle was the peak of a long conflict. It was between King Edward II and his powerful earl, Thomas of Lancaster. The main problem was how the war with Scotland was being handled. Lancaster and many others felt the king was not doing enough.
In March 1322, Lancaster was fleeing north from the king's army. Harclay, as sheriff of Cumberland, was ordered to gather troops. He was to bring soldiers from Cumberland and Westmorland south. His orders were to meet the king's army. But in Ripon, he learned that Lancaster would reach nearby Boroughbridge the next day. Harclay decided to act quickly. He took control of the bridge over the River Ure. This would stop Lancaster's army from crossing.
Lancaster's army arrived at Boroughbridge on March 16. The rebels were greatly outnumbered. Harclay had about 4000 men. Lancaster had only about 700 knights and men-at-arms. Harclay's forces were well-trained. They had experience from the Scottish Wars. Harclay used tactics the English had learned from the Scots. He used the schiltron. This was a tight group of infantrymen with long spears. It was very effective against Lancaster's army, which had many cavalry (horse soldiers).
According to an old record called The Brut, Lancaster tried to get Harclay to join him. He offered Harclay great rewards in land. Harclay had supported Lancaster before. But this time, Harclay chose to stay loyal to the king. He refused Lancaster's offer.
The battle was short and one-sided. Lancaster tried to cross the river at a shallow spot. Meanwhile, the Earl of Hereford, who was with Lancaster, tried to cross the bridge. Hereford was killed on the bridge. His friend Roger de Clifford, 2nd Baron de Clifford was badly hurt. Lancaster's attack failed due to heavy arrow fire. Many of Lancaster's men left during the night. More royal troops arrived. This forced Lancaster to surrender the next day. He was executed on March 22.
The king was very happy with Harclay's efforts. He rewarded him richly. On March 25, Harclay was made Earl of Carlisle. He was also given land worth 1000 marks a year. On September 15, he was made the chief Warden of the Marches.
The Treason Charge
On October 14, 1322, the English army was defeated by the Scots. This happened at the Battle of Old Byland in Yorkshire. The Scottish army was led by Robert the Bruce. The English commander, John of Brittany, Earl of Richmond, was captured. King Edward was fifteen miles away. When he heard the news, he fled to York. He left behind important royal items. This was the worst English defeat since the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
Harclay had been called to join the royal army. But he could not bring his troops south in time to help. This event convinced him that the war against Scotland could not be won with King Edward as leader. So, he started talking directly with the Scots. He did this without the king's permission. On January 3, 1323, he signed a peace treaty with Robert the Bruce at Lochmaben.
The treaty said that Scotland was an independent kingdom. It also said Robert would pay 40,000 marks to the English. And Edward would choose a wife from his own family for Robert's heir. The treaty also hinted at an alliance between Robert and Harclay. They would use force against Edward if needed to make the treaty happen. It seems Harclay did not expect the king to forgive him. He might have even thought about joining Robert the Bruce. There were rumors he planned to marry one of Bruce's daughters, but there is no proof.
Historians generally understand why Harclay acted this way. He was genuinely worried about the situation in the north. It was a desperate attempt to make the best of a bad situation. However, his actions were still considered "treason." Making a treaty with the king's enemies without permission was a serious crime. Harclay had received some powers in February 1322. But the 1323 treaty went beyond what he was allowed to do.
Harclay's Death
When King Edward found out about Harclay's actions, he ordered his arrest. Harclay tried to get support for his cause. The king began to strengthen the northern castles. This standoff lasted until February 25. On that day, Sir Anthony Lucy arrested Harclay at Carlisle Castle. Lucy acted with only a small group of men. Harclay clearly trusted Lucy, so the arrest was a surprise. Lucy and Harclay may have had a disagreement over land. Harclay had also taken Lucy's lands briefly after a rebellion in 1322, even though Lucy was not involved.
On March 3, Harclay was brought before a royal judge in Carlisle. He was not given a proper hearing. He appeared in his robes as a knight and earl. His knight's spurs were cut off. His sword was broken over his head. He was stripped of his robes and declared "no knight, but a knave." He was found guilty of treason. He was sentenced to be executed in a very harsh way.
Harclay acted with dignity at his execution. He insisted that he had done what he thought was best for the country. After his death, his head was sent to the king at Knaresborough. Then it was hung on London Bridge. The four parts of his body were sent to different parts of the country. They were displayed in Carlisle, Newcastle, Bristol, and Dover.
Harclay's head stayed on display in London for five years. His sister asked the king to return his body parts for a proper burial. In 1328, her wish was granted. However, his conviction for treason was never removed. Later, during the reign of Edward III, Harclay's nephew tried to have the treason charge cleared. But the request was ignored.
After Harclay's death, his ideas about peace with Scotland proved to be wise. King Edward II could not win the war against the Scots. He also refused to give up his claim to the Scottish crown. This proved impossible in the end. Harclay's military skills had provided much-needed protection for the northern borders. Less than three months after Harclay's execution, Edward agreed to a thirteen-year truce with Scotland.
Harclay in Fiction
Andrew Harclay's unauthorized talks with Robert the Bruce are part of a book. They are described in The Price of the King's Peace. This is the third book in Nigel Tranter's Bruce trilogy. In the book, he is called "Andrew Harcla."
External Sources
- The Battle of Boroughbridge at The Battlefields Trust.
| Peerage of England | ||
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| New creation | Earl of Carlisle 1st creation 1322–1323 |
Forfeit |
