In , as rival factions staked claim to the English crown, the English and the Scots engaged in a fierce clash in the marshy reaches of Northallerton, North Yorkshire. While the opposing forces grappled on the battlefield, amid the English lines rose an unusual totem comprising a wooden mast, a dangling silver box and sacred banners—a standard the English hoped would bring them divine assistance. King David I of Scotland had invaded England that year in support of his niece, Matilda, then embroiled in a fight against her cousin, Stephen of Blois, for control of the English throne.
This period of civil war, known as the Anarchy, raged in England from until Matilda and husband Geoffrey of Anjou moved to overthrow King Stephen by launching an invasion from their base in English-held Normandy. Set for , the cross-channel assault was preempted when King David invaded from the north.
In truth, many communities guaranteed their safety by promising not to move against David. Regardless, contemporary sources record widespread alarm at the invasion. As rumor spread David intended to march on York, a patchwork force gathered to confront him. Stephen himself was occupied with a rebellion of pro-Matilda barons in the south.
Loyal commanders from as far south as Derbyshire soon arrived in York with their contingents. From there the English army first marched north to Thirsk, then set out on the Roman road to Northallerton roughly tracing the present-day A The ailing Thurstan was unable to accompany them. In his stead marched Bishop Ralph Nowell of Orkney with a cadre of clergymen. Before them they held aloft the banner of St. Peter the Apostle from York Minster.
Other contingents carried similar banners. However, doing so was not common practice in 12th century England. The elaborate construction for which the forthcoming Battle of the Standard was named took shape at Northallerton.
Atop the mast was hung a pyx—a silver container containing Communion bread—and beneath it the standards of St. Peter, St. John of Beverley and St. Wilfrid of Ripon other sources add the banner of St. Cuthbert of Durham. Thus it served not only as a sign of divine support, but also as a rallying point for the English.
Northallerton sits 10 miles south of the River Tees, which formed the border of Yorkshire. No sooner had the English arrayed themselves a couple of miles north of town than the Scots came into view, advancing south from the Tees. The battlefield was hemmed in by marshy ground.
Cinnamire marsh, on the low ground to the English left, protected their flank from being turned by the more numerous Scots, while on the English right Brompton Grange and The Grange were also dominated by marshy terrain. Thus the Scots would be inexorably funneled toward Northallerton, and by deploying on or near Red Hill, the English could block their southward advance and force battle.
The English numbers may have been sufficient to deploy in an unbroken line the quarter mile or more between Cinnamire and Brompton Grange. The English likely centered their lines on ground marked by present-day Scotpit Lane, perhaps as far south as present-day Red Hill. The Scots drew up farther north on what has since been known as Standard Hill. With Stephen busy fighting rebel barons in the south of the country, it was left to a mainly locally raised force to repel the invading Scots.
At the head of the English army was a mast mounted on a cart proudly flying the consecrated banners of the minsters of Beverley, Ripon and York, earning the battle its name. The English took up their position across the Great North Road a few miles north of Northallerton, blocking the Scots advance southwards. Attempting a surprise early morning attack, King David found the English well prepared and waiting for him.
The Galwegians finally fled when two of their leaders were killed. Although greatly outnumbered, the English resisted several sustained Scottish attacks. Within a space of three hours, much of the Scottish host had begun to flee, apart from small bodies of knights and men-at-arms who were gathered around King David and his son Henry. David and his son then withdrew in relatively good order. While the English did not attempt a major pursuit, numerous Scots that were fleeing from the area of the battle were killed.
Scots losses in the Battle of the Standard were reported to be heavy, while English casualties were light.
David, I fell back to Carlisle where he reassembled another army. Within a month, a truce had been negotiated which left the Scots free to continue the siege of Wark Castle, which fell to them in the November of Despite losing the Battle of the Standard, King David subsequently acquired most of the territorial concessions he had been seeking. John Chapel of St. The Battle of the Standard - Popular Battles.
Battle of Agincourt.
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