English invasions of Scotland facts for kids

Throughout history, England and Scotland often fought. This article tells you about the times English armies marched into Scotland. These events are called the English invasions of Scotland.

The 900s: Early Invasions

• 934: King Æthelstan of England led an army into Scotland.

The 1200s: Wars for Independence Begin

• 1296: King Edward I of England invaded Scotland. This started the First War of Scottish Independence, a long fight for Scotland's freedom.
• 1298: King Edward I invaded again. He wanted to get back at Scotland after the English army lost badly at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

The 1300s: Many More Conflicts

• 1300: King Edward I invaded again. He wanted to keep control after Scotland took back Stirling Castle.
• 1301: King Edward I tried to conquer Scotland with attacks from both the east and west coasts.
• 1303: After failing in 1301, King Edward I launched another two-sided attack to conquer Scotland.
• 1304: King Edward I stayed in Scotland for two years, fighting battles all over the country.
• 1306: An English army, led by Aymer de Valence, invaded. This was after Robert I became King of Scotland and a Scottish noble, John Comyn, was killed. The English stayed for months.
• 1307: King Edward I planned another invasion, but he died on his way north, so it didn't happen.
• 1310: King Edward II of England invaded. He spent time fixing up English castles in Scotland until the middle of 1311.
• 1314: A major English invasion ended in a big defeat for England at the famous Battle of Bannockburn.
• 1319: King Edward II invaded and tried to capture Berwick. But he left when Scottish forces entered England.
• 1322: Another English invasion turned back because Scottish forces had entered England.
• 1333: King Edward III of England invaded as part of the Second War of Scottish Independence.
• 1338: An English army invaded under the command of William Montagu, 1st Earl of Salisbury.
• 1356: King Edward III invaded again. This event is often called Burnt Candlemas because of the destruction.
• 1385: King Richard II of England led an invasion into Scotland.

The 1400s: New Kings, New Invasions

• 1400: King Henry IV of England led an invasion.
• 1482: Richard, Duke of Gloucester (who later became King Richard III) led an English invasion.

The 1500s: The "Rough Wooing"

• 1544: English forces, led by Edward Seymour and John Dudley, invaded. They burned the city of Edinburgh on orders from King Henry VIII.
• 1548: Another English invasion led to England controlling much of southern Scotland. This period is known as the Rough Wooing.

The 1600s: Cromwell and the Commonwealth

• 1650: Oliver Cromwell led an English invasion. After this, Scotland became part of the Commonwealth of England for a time.

See Also

• Scottish invasions of England