Battle of Stracathro facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Stracathro
Date 16 April 1130 Location near Brechin, Angus Result Scottish Crown victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Scotland	Kingdom of Moray Kingdom of Ross
Commanders and leaders
Constable Edward	King Angus  † Malcolm MacAllister
Strength
10,000	5,000
Casualties and losses
1,000+	4,000

The Battle of Stracathro, also known as the Battle of Inchbare, was an important fight in Scottish history. It took place on April 16, 1130. The battle happened near Brechin, Scotland, close to the River North Esk.

This battle was a clash between the forces loyal to the Scottish king, David I of Scotland, and rebels who wanted to take his crown. The rebels were led by two powerful figures: Óengus of Moray and Máel Coluim mac Alaxandair.

What Was the Battle of Stracathro?

The Battle of Stracathro was a key event in 1130. It decided who would rule Scotland. The battle happened when rebel forces invaded Scotland. They wanted to remove King David I from his throne.

The battle was fought near a place called Stracathro. This area is about 3 miles north of Brechin. The fight was quick but very important for the future of Scotland.

Who Was Fighting?

Two main groups fought in the Battle of Stracathro. One group supported the current king. The other group wanted a new king.

King David I of Scotland

David I of Scotland was the King of Scotland at this time. He was a strong ruler. He spent much of 1130 in England. He was there to help King Henry I of England. He also attended a special church event.

While King David was away, the rebels saw a chance. They thought it was a good time to attack. They hoped to make Scotland unstable.

The Challengers: Óengus and Máel Coluim

The rebellion was led by two men. They both believed they had a right to be king.

• Óengus of Moray (also known as Angus) was a grandson of an earlier king, Lulach. Lulach had been removed from power and killed. Angus believed he was the rightful heir.
• Máel Coluim mac Alaxandair (also known as Malcolm) was the son of a previous Scottish king, Alexander I. However, he was not a legitimate heir.

These two leaders brought together an army of about 5,000 warriors. They came from the areas of Moray and Ross. Their goal was to make Angus the new King of Scotland.

Why Did the Battle Happen?

The main reason for the battle was a fight for the Scottish crown. Óengus and Máel Coluim wanted to take control. They saw King David's absence as an opportunity. They believed they could win the throne while he was in England.

The rebels thought they could surprise King David's supporters. They wanted to create chaos in Scotland. This would make it easier for them to seize power.

The Battle Itself

The forces loyal to King David I were ready. They were led by Edward, who was the Constable of Scotland. A Constable was a very important military leader. Edward's army was larger than the rebels'. It had about 10,000 soldiers.

The two armies met at Stracathro. Edward's army fought bravely. They defeated the rebel forces. The battle was a clear victory for King David's side.

During the battle, Óengus of Moray was killed. This was a major blow to the rebellion. Some reports say that as many as 4,000 rebels were killed. Other sources suggest the battle was smaller.

What Happened After the Battle?

After the battle, Máel Coluim mac Alaxandair managed to escape. He then became the main person trying to take the Scottish crown. He continued to challenge King David.

However, Malcolm was later captured in 1134. He was betrayed and imprisoned by King David. Malcolm spent the rest of his life in prison in Roxburgh. The Battle of Stracathro helped King David I keep his throne. It also ended a major threat to his rule.