Battle of Kinghorn facts for kids

The Battle of Kinghorn happened on August 6, 1332, near what is now Burntisland, Scotland. It was a fight during the Second War of Scottish Independence. An invading force of about 1,500 men, led by Edward Balliol and Henry Beaumont, attacked Scotland by sea. They faced a Scottish army of about 4,000 soldiers, led by Duncan, Earl of Fife, and Robert Bruce, Lord of Liddesdale.

Edward Balliol was the son of a former Scottish king, John Balliol. He wanted to become king of Scotland himself. His forces were still getting off their ships when the Scottish army attacked. However, English longbowmen and foot soldiers pushed back the Scots. The Scottish army suffered heavy losses. This victory helped Balliol, who was crowned king of Scotland just over a month later.

Why the Battle Happened

The First War of Independence

The first war between England and Scotland began in 1296. Edward I of England invaded Scotland and attacked the town of Berwick. This war lasted for 30 years. It ended in 1328 with the Treaty of Northampton. This treaty made peace between England and Scotland. However, many people in England did not like it. They called it "the shameful peace."

Disinherited Nobles and Edward Balliol

After the treaty, some Scottish nobles refused to support the Scottish king, Robert the Bruce. They lost their lands and titles. These "disinherited" nobles left Scotland. They joined forces with Edward Balliol. Edward Balliol was the son of John Balliol, who had been king of Scotland before Edward I removed him. Edward Balliol wanted to claim the Scottish throne for himself.

Planning the Invasion

Robert the Bruce died in 1329. His son, David II, was only five years old. In 1331, Edward Balliol and Henry Beaumont planned to invade Scotland. They gathered their forces in England. The English king, Edward III of England, officially said they could not invade. But secretly, he was happy for them to cause trouble for Scotland. He just told them not to invade by land from England. So, on July 31, 1332, Balliol's forces sailed from English ports.

The Scots knew an invasion was coming. Their leader, Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray, was an experienced soldier. But he died just ten days before Balliol's ships set sail. This left Scotland without its main leader at a critical time.

The Battle of Kinghorn

Balliol's Landing

Edward Balliol's army was small, only about 1,500 men. It included 500 men-at-arms (knights and heavily armed soldiers) and 1,000 longbowmen (archers). Balliol hoped that many Scots would join him once he landed. The Scots chose Donald, Earl of Mar, as their new guardian, or regent. They divided their large army. Mar commanded the troops north of the Firth of Forth. Another leader, Patrick, Earl of March, commanded those to the south.

Balliol had been talking with Mar and hoped Mar would switch sides. Knowing Mar was with the troops on the northern shore, Balliol decided to land there. He chose Wester Kinghorn (now Burntisland) on August 6, 1332.

The Fight on the Beach

While Balliol's soldiers were still getting off their ships, a large Scottish force attacked them. This Scottish army was led by Duncan, Earl of Fife, and Robert Bruce, Lord of Liddesdale. Historians believe the Scottish force was about 4,000 men.

The Scots attacked the part of Balliol's force that was already on the beach. It was a fierce attack. But the English longbowmen fired arrows, and their foot soldiers fought hard. They managed to push the Scots back. This happened even before Balliol's heavily armed men-at-arms could get off their ships.

After the Battle

Scottish records from that time say their losses were small. But English sources say between 90 and 1,000 Scots were killed. Several Scottish nobles died, including Sir Alexander Seton. There are no records of how many of Balliol's men were hurt or killed.

This victory made Balliol's army feel strong. They finished landing and marched to Dunfermline. There, they took weapons from a Scottish armoury. Donald, Earl of Mar, pulled his troops back to Perth. He gathered the survivors from Kinghorn and called for more soldiers to join him.

What Happened Next

Dupplin Moor and Coronation

Just five days later, on August 11, Balliol's army met Mar's army at the Battle of Dupplin Moor. The Scottish army was much larger, perhaps ten times bigger than Balliol's force. But despite this, the Scots suffered a terrible defeat. Thousands of them were killed, including many important nobles.

After this big victory, Edward Balliol was crowned king of Scotland. This happened at Scone on September 24. Scone was the traditional place where Scottish kings were crowned.

Balliol's Reign and Downfall

However, Edward Balliol did not have much support in Scotland. Within six months, his power began to fall apart. He was surprised by supporters of David II at the Battle of Annan a few months after his coronation. Balliol had to escape to England, riding without a saddle and barely dressed.

He asked King Edward III of England for help. Edward III supported him. The English king defeated the Scots at the Battle of Halidon Hill in July 1333. This helped put Balliol back on the Scottish throne. But Balliol was removed from power again in 1334. He was restored again in 1335. Finally, in 1336, those loyal to David II removed him from the throne for good.