Battle of Skaithmuir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Skaithmuir |
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| Part of the First War of Scottish Independence | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Kingdom of Scotland | Kingdom of England | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| James Douglas | Edmond de Caillou† | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown, but significantly more than the Scots | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Relatively low | High | ||||||
The Battle of Skaithmuir was a small but important fight during the First War of Scottish Independence. It happened in February 1316, near Coldstream, right on the border between Scotland and England. This battle was fought between Scottish forces led by Sir James Douglas and an English group from Berwick upon Tweed. The Scots won this battle, and it was a step towards them taking back Berwick later on.
Contents
What Was the Battle of Skaithmuir?
The Battle of Skaithmuir was a quick, sharp fight. It was part of a much bigger conflict known as the First War of Scottish Independence. This war was about Scotland fighting to be free from English rule. The battle took place in 1316. It happened near a town called Coldstream, which is close to the border between Scotland and England.
Why Did the Battle Happen?
The English soldiers at Berwick upon Tweed were in trouble. The Scots had taken back much of the land around Berwick. This made it very hard for the English to get food and supplies. The soldiers in Berwick were starting to run out of food.
To get supplies, an English knight named Edmond Caillou led a group of about 80 men. They left Berwick to find food. Their plan was to raid a place called Teviotdale and steal cattle.
Who Was Sir James Douglas?
Sir James Douglas was a very skilled Scottish captain. He was one of the most important leaders for Robert the Bruce, the King of Scots. Douglas was known for his clever tactics and surprise attacks.
When Douglas heard about the English raiding party, he quickly acted. He was told that the English group was smaller than it actually was. Douglas decided to stop them before they could get back to Berwick with the stolen cattle.
The Fight at Skaithmuir
Sir James Douglas and his Scottish soldiers met the English group at Skaithmuir. A fierce fight broke out. Even though the English had more men, Douglas and his Scots fought bravely.
In the end, the Scots won the battle. The English leader, Edmond Caillou, was killed during the fight. Sir James Douglas later said that this battle was one of the toughest fights he had ever been in.
What Happened Next?
The Scottish victory at Skaithmuir was important. It showed that the Scots were strong and determined. Later, in April 1318, the Scots, led by Douglas and Thomas Randolph, went on to capture Berwick. This was a big win for Scotland in the war for independence.
