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![]() The following list was sent to me by Mr. John E. Muter and is easily the most exhaustive and complete list of battles on British soil that I have ever seen. Mr. Muter remarks that he is neither a historian nor a serious student of military history. Be that as it may, I can only look at the list and wonder at the effort it must have taken to compile. If Mr. Muter is not a historian then perhaps he should be. |
Battles and Major Skirmishes in Great Britain 55BC - 1797We now regard a battle as being combat, especially between large organised forces, but the meaning of the word has changed over the years as it used to be one of the groupings into which medieval armies were often divided. Such an army would normally, but not always, be formed into three Battles for ease of movement and control, and to facilitate tactical deployment. The first would be the Vanguard, the second the main Battle, and the third the Rearguard. And what of an Army? A modern definition is an organised body
of men armed for war, but the Laws of King Ine of Wessex (688 - 728) were
quite specific, thus:
It would appear, therefore, that some medieval battles could involve very few men, although this was not always the case, of course. Some encounters in medieval times would not qualify as battles because of the numbers involved (when recorded) or in modern times because there was no engagement of major forces. It is in such instances that the word 'skirmish' is particularly appropriate, it being an irregular engagement between two small bodies of troops, especially detached or outlying parties of opposing armies. Where it comes to dates, I hope that I have interpreted correctly the recognised inconsistencies in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. Where I have encountered conflicting dates recorded by later historians I have either recorded those on which the majority agree or recorded the options where none has agreed. I also found that there were two schools of thought over the number
of kings of Scotland named Constantine as some historians record three,
others four. I made an arbitrary decision to presume that the latter
is correct, the result being Constantine I (789 - 820), II (863 - 877),
Despite my care, there may be errors. In mitigation I must say that I am neither an historian, nor even a serious student of this subject, and that the compilation was made out of a sense of curiosity as I was unable to trace such a list that already existed. It was an interesting exercise; almost every book in the bibliography provided at least one addition but, as comprehensive as it is, it is by no means definitive. How can it be when, for instance, the Rev Thomas Thomson in his 'A History of the Scottish People' (1895) writes that Robert the Bruce won 53 of his 70 battles, yet even he records only a handful? There are certain to be other battles and skirmishes that are not mentioned here but that are known to some readers , and some will know details that are missing, but for now I am content to terminate my own research, as intriguing as it has been. I hope that the reader finds the results of interest. |
55BC to 800ADLocation Opponents and result. BC55 (25 Aug) Walmer/Deal
BC54 (7 July) Bigbury
BC54 South of R Thames
BC54 (5 Aug) Wheathampstead
43 Not known
43 Medway
51 Cefn Carnedd
60-61Anglesey
61 Colchester
61 Mancetter
84 Mons Graupius
296 Silchester
![]() 455 AEgelsthrep
465 Wippedes fleot
456-7 Creacanford/Crecgan ford
473 Not known
485 Mearcraedes burna
477 Cymenes ora
491 Andredes cester
495 Cerdices ora
5th Century Caledonian Forest
508 Natan leag
514 Cerdices ora
517 Badon (Mons Badonicus)
519 Cerdices ford
527 Cerdices leag/Certicesford
530 Wihtgaraesburh
537 Camlann
542 Glen Water
552 Searoburh
556 Beranburh
568 Wibbandun
571 Bedcanford
573 Lora
573 Arderydd/Armterid/Atterith
577 Deorham
577 Metcaud
6th Century Argoed Llwyfain
578 Isle of Jura
584 Fethan leag
590 Leithreid
592
593 Woddesbeorg/Wodnesbeorg
593-600 Catraeth
596 Ratho
596 Ardsendoin (Miathi)
c600 Chirchind
c600 Corinnie
605-6 Chester
607 Unidentified
613-6 Cair Legion (Chester)
614 Beandun
617 River Idle
621 Cindelgthen
627 Ardacorain
628 Cirencester
630 Meicaren
633 (14 Oct) Haethfelth
634 York
634 Heavenfield/Denisesburna
634 Calathros
635 Seguise
638 Glenmairison
641 (5Aug) Maserfelth
642 (Dec) Strathcarron
644 Cocboy
652 Bradenforda
655 Winwidfeld
658 Peonnan/Penselwood
661 (Easter) Posentesburh
665 Badon (Mons Badonicus)
674 Not recorded
675 Biedanheafod
676 Rochester
679 Trent
682 Not recorded
685 (20 May) Dunnichen Moss/Nechtanesmere
686 Kent/Isle of Wight (Records conflict)
710 R. Tamar (west of)
710 Between Haefe & Caere
715 Adam's Grove
717 Minvircc
719 Finglen
722 R Hayle (estuary)
722 Taunton
722 Garth Maelog
722 Pencon/Pencoed
725 Unidentified
727 Irroisfoichnae
727-9 Monacrib/Crei
728 Caislen Crathi
729-30 Monticarno
729-30 (12 Aug) Dromaderg Blathug/Blathmig
733 Somerton
734 Not recorded
736 Cnuicc Coirpri (cf 739 Twini Onirbre)
737 Not recorded
739 Dalriada
739 Twini Onirbre (cf 736 Cnuicc Coirpri)
742 Dunadd (cf 743 Droma Cathvaoil)
743 Droma Cathvaoil (cf 742 Dunadd)
744 Mugdock
746 Catho
752 Beorgfeord
752 Sreith
756 Alcluith
757 Merantun
760 Hereford
761 (6 Aug) AEdwiresclif
763 Fortren
776 Otford
779 Benson
788 Not recorded
796 Rhuddlan
798 Romney Marsh
798 (2Apr) Whalley
798 Not recorded
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801AD to 1065ADLocation Opponents and result. 802 Kempsford
822 Deganwy
825 Galford
825 Ellandun
825 Not Recorded
829 Not Recorded
836 Ayr
836 Carhampton
838 Hingston Down
839 Not Recorded
840 Southampton
843 Carhampton
848 River Parrett
850 Wiceganbeorg
851 Canterbury & London
851 Aclea (Oakley)
851 Off Sandwich (Naval)
853 Thanet
860 Winchester
866 (1 Nov) York
867 (21 Mar) York
870 (31 Dec) Englefield
871 (4 Jan) Reading
871 (8 Jan) Ashdown
871 (22 Jan) Basing
871 (March) Meretun/Merantun
871 (May) Wilton
874 Repton (poss)
876 Wareham
877 Anglesey
877 Crail
878 (Jan) Not Recorded
878 (Easter) Cynwit
878 (11-12 May) Ethandun
881 Conway (mouth of)
885 Rochester
886 London
893 Farnham
893 Bleamfleote
893 Buttington on Severn
893 Chester
894 Chichester
895 River Lea
896 Uncertain
902/4 The Holm
903 Dunkeld
904 Forteviot (Strathearn)
904(?) Scone
914/918 Corbridge
914/6 Hook Norton
914/6 Luton
915/7 Archenfield
916 (19 Jan) Brecenanmere
917 (July) Derby
920 Between Tempsford & Bedford
920 Wigingamere
920 (summer) Tempsford
920 (autumn) Colchester
920 (autumn) Maldon
920 Davenport
Tinmore/Tynemoore
923 York
937 Brunanburh
941 Tyninghame
942 Not Recorded
943 Tamworth
948 Castleford
950 Nant Carno
953 "Bloody Pots"
950-4 Fetteresso
954 near Llanrwst
954/5 Steinmore
961 Cullen
965 Drumcrob
967 Forres
973 Luncarty
977 Skida Moor
980 Thanet
980/1 Southampton
981 Padstow
982 Portland
987 Anglesey
987/8 Watchet
988 Maldon
991 (10 Aug) Maldon
993 Bamburgh
994 London
997 Lydford
997 Watchet
997 Rathinveramon
999 St David's
999 Rochester
10th Century Skidhamyrr
1001 AEthelingadene
1001 Pinhoe
1004 Thetford
1004/5 Monnivaird/Monzievaird
1006 East Kennet
1006 Durham
1008 Forres
1010 (5 May) Ringmere
1010 Mortlach
1010 St Bride
1010 Camuston
1010 Buchan
1010 Slains Castle
1010 Brechin
1013 London
1014 Lindsey
1016 Penselwood
1016 Sherston
1016 Brentford
1016 Otford
1016 (18 Oct) Assandun
1016 Coldstream
1018 Carham on Tweed
1022 Abergwili
1039 Rhyd y Groes/Crosford
1040 Elgin
1040 Thurso
1049 (29 Jul) River Usk
1052 Porlock
1053 Hereford
1057 (27 Jul) Dunsinane Hill ("Seven Sleepers")
1056 Glasbury on Wye
1057 (15 Aug) Lumphanan
1058 Essie
1063 (5 Aug) Snowdonia
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1066 to 1314Lincs Earl Edwin bt Tostig 1066 (20 Sep) Gate Fulford
1066 (25 Sep) Stamford Bridge
1066 (14 Oct) Hastings
1066 (Oct/Nov) Southwark
1069 Stafford
1081 Mynydd Carn
1093 (13 Nov) Alnwick
1094 Not Recorded
1097 Not Recorded
1130 Inchbare
1136 (1 Jan) Swansea
1136 Carlisle
1138 (22 Aug) "Battle of the Standard"
1141(2 Feb) Lincoln
1141 (14 Sep) Winchester
1143 Wilton
1153 Tutbury
1156 (6 Jan) Isle of Islay
1160 Not Recorded
1164 The Knock ("Bloody Mire")
1174 Alnwick
1185 (1 Jan) Not Recorded
1185 (30 Sep) Not Recorded
1187 (31 Jul) Mamgarvia Moor
1190 Cornaigmore ("Battle of the Sheaves")
1194 Conway
1196 River Oykell
1196 Thurso
1199 Mold
1215 Not Recorded
1217 Lincoln
1235 Not Recorded
1249 Isle of Kerrera
1257 Y Cymerau
1261 Not Recorded
1262 Caithness/Isles of Lewis & Skye
1262 Maelienydd
1263 Blorenge Mountain
1263 (2 Oct) Largs
1264 Lewes
1265 (4 Aug) Evesham
1271 Caerphilly
1282 (16 Jun) nr Dinefwr
1282 (6 Nov) Menai Straits
1282 (11 Dec) Orewyn Bridge
1283 (25 Apr) Bere Castle
1259 (5 Mar) Maes Maidog(Moydog)
1296 Loudon Hill
1296 (30 Mar) Berwick
1296 Stracathro
1296 (23 Apr) Spottismuir
1297 Sanquhar
1297 Dalswinton
1297 (10 Aug) Lochmaben
1297 (11 Sep) Stirling Bridge
1298 (22 Jul) Falkirk
1300 Cree
1303 (24 Feb) Roslin
1303 (May) Stirling
1304 (Feb) Happrew
1306 (June) Methven Park
1306 (13 Jul/11/23 Aug) Dalry
1307 Turnberry
1307 (Mar/Apr) Glentrool
1307 (8 May) Sanquhar
1307 (10 May) Loudon Hill
1307 (13 May) Ayr
1307 Fail
1307 (14 Sep) Paisley Forest
1307 (mid Nov) Huntly/Slioch
1307 (24 Dec) Barra Hill
1308 Brander Pass
1311 Corbridge
1311 Berwick
1311 Linlithgow
1312 Hexham
1312 Durham
1312 Hartlepool
1313 Edinburgh
1313 Not Recorded
1313 Perth
1314 (14 Mar) Edinburgh
1314 (23 Jun) Bannockburn
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1315 to 1497Fife William Sinclair, Bishop of Dunkeld bt English 1316 (Feb) Skaithmuir
1317 (Mar/Sep?) Lintalee/Linthaughlee
1317 (Jun?) nr Berwick
1317/8 Donibristle
1318 (Apr) Berwick
1319 (20 Sep) Mytton/Myton in Swaledale
1319 Gasklune
1322 (16 Mar) Boroughbridge
1322 Byland
1332 (9 Aug) Dupplin Moor
1333 (19 Jul)Hallidon Hill
1335 Borough Muir
1335 (30 Nov) Kilblene
1346 (17 Oct) Neville's Cross
1347 Not Recorded
1370 Carham on Tweed
1380 Solway
1381 (Jun?) North Walsham
1387 (Dec) Radcot Bridge
1388 (5/19 Aug) Otterburn/Chevy Chase
1392 (Aug) Glasclune
1395 Tuttim-Turwigh
1400 (Jan) Maidenhead
1400 (Jan) Cirencester
1400(Mar) Cockburnspath
1400 (Sep/Oct) Fulhope Law
1400 (24 Sep) Welshpool
1401 (Jun) Hyddgen
1402 (31 Jan) Ruthin
1402 (22 Jun) Pilleth/Bryn Glas
1402 (22 Jun) Nesbit Moor
1402 (14 Sep) Homildon Hill
1403 (21 Jul) Shrewsbury
1403 (Jul) Laugharne
1403 (Nov) Caernarvon
1404 (Jan) Beaumaris
1404 (Jan/Jun) Aberystwyth
1404 (Jan/Jun) Harlech
1404 Campstone Hill
1405 (11 Mar) Grosmont
1405 Craig y Dorth
1405 (5 May) Pwllmelyn
1405 (29 May) Skipton Moor
1405 (Aug)Worcester/Woodbury Hill
1405 (10 Aug) Haverfordwest
1405 (Aug) Tenby
1405 (Aug) Carmarthen
1408 (19 Feb) Bramham Moor
1408 (Sep) Aberystwyth
1409 (Mar) Harlech
1411 Pitcaple/Harlaw
1424 Dumbarton
1427 Strathnever
1435 (10 Sep) Piper Dene
1445 Arbroath
1448 (23 Oct) Gretna/River Sark
1452 (May) Brechin
1455 Arkinholm
1455 (22 May) St Albans
1459 (23 Sep) Blore Heath
1459 (12 Oct) Ludford Bridge
1460 Not Recorded
1460 (10 Jul) Northampton
1460 (30 Dec) Wakefield
1461 (2 Feb) Mortimer's Cross
1461 (17 Feb) St Albans
1461 (28 Mar) Ferrybrdge
1461 (29 Mar) Towton
1464 (25 Apr) Hedgeley Moor
1464 (15 May) Hexham
1469 (26 Jul) Edgecote
1470 (12 Mar) Losecoat Field
1471 (3 Apr) Leicester
1471 (14 Apr) Barnet
1471 (4 May) Tewkesbury
1480 Lagebread
1484 (22 Jul) Kirkconnel
1485 (22 Aug) Bosworth Field
1487 Aldy-Charrish
1487 (16 Jun) Stoke Field
1488 Talla Moss (Rout of)
1488 (11 Jun) Sauchieburn
1491 Blair na Parc
1497 (17 Jun) Blackheath
1497 (Jul) Norham
1497 (17-18 Sep) Exeter
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1512 to 1644 (Marston Moor)se Coldstream, Berwicks Sir William Balfour bt Lord Home 1513 (28 Aug) Norham
1513 (9 Sep) Flodden
1514 Hornshole
1515 Edinburgh ("Cleanse the Causeway")
1516 Torran-Dubh
1518 Craiganairgid
1520 Edinburgh
1542 (Aug) Hadden Rigg
1542 (24 Nov) Solway Moss
1545 (17/25/27 Feb) Ancram Moor
1547 (21 Jul) St Andrews
1547 (10 Sep) Pinkie Cleugh
1549 (Jun/Aug) Fenny Bridges
1554 (Feb/Mar) Cooling Castle
1554 (Feb/Mar) Cobham
1554 (Feb/Mar) Wrotham
1562 Skirmish Hill
1562/5 (28 Oct) Corrichie Hill
1567 (15 Jun) Carberry Hill
1568 (13 May) Langside
1575 Carter Bar ("Raid of the Reidswire")
1586 Aldgown
1593 Dryfe Sands
1594 Glenlivet
1598 (5 Aug) Traigh Gruinart
1600 (5 Aug) Perth
1601 Benquihillin
1601 Carinish
1603 Luss ("Slaughter of Lennox")
1603 (Feb) Glenfruin
1639 (14 Feb) Turriff
1639 (14 May) Turriff ("The Trot of Turriff")
1639 (15 Jun) Megray Hill
1639 (?) Brig o'Dee
1640 (28 Aug) Newburn
1642 (23 Sep) Powick Bridge
1642 (23 Oct) Edgehill
1642 (6 Dec) Tadcaster
1643 (19 Jan) Braddock Down
1643 (19 Mar) Hopton Heath
1643 (24 Mar) Highnam
1643 (30 Mar) Seacroft Moor
1643 (22 Apr) Launceston
1643 (26 Apr) Reading
1643 (13 May) Grantham
1643 (16 May) Stratton
1643 (May) Sleaford
1643 (18 Jun) Chalgrove
1643 (30 Jun) Atherton/Adwalton Moor
1643 (13 Jul) Roundway Down
1643 (26 Jul) Bristol
1643 (28 Jul) Gainsborough
1643 (20 Sep) Newbury
1643 (11 Oct) Winceby
1644 (15 Jan) Nantwich
1644 (Jan) Howden Hills
1644 (21 Mar) Newark
1644 (25 Mar) Bradford
1644 (29 Mar) Cheriton Wood
1644 (11 Apr) Selby
1644 (29 Jun) Cropredy Bridge
1644 (2 Jul) Marston Moor
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1644 to 1797Cornwall Charles I bt Earl of Essex 1644 (1 Sep) Tippermuir
1644 (2 Sep) between Lostwithiel/Fowey
1644 (13 Sep)) Justice Mills
1644 (18 Sep/14 Oct) Montgomery
1644 (27 Oct) Newbury
1644 (4 Dec) Abbeycwmhir
1645 (2 Feb) Inverlochy
1645 (4 Apr) Dundee
1645 (9 May) Auldearn
1645 (31 May) Leicester
1645 (14 Jun) Naseby
1645 (2 Jul) Alford
1645 (10 Jul) Langport
1645 (28 Jul) Dunkeld
1645 (1 Aug) Colby Moor
1645 (15 Aug) Kilsyth
![]() Glos Sir Thomas Fairfax bt Prince Rupert 1645 (13 Sep) Philiphaugh
1645 (23 Sep) Rowton Heath
1645 (1 Nov) Denbigh
1646 (21 Mar) Stow on the Wold
1647 Dunaverty
1647 (24 May) Rhunahaorine Point
1648 (8 May) St Fagans
1648 (1 Jun) Maidstone
1648 (5 Jun) Y Dalar Hir
1648 (12 Jun) Mauchline Moor
1648 (Jul) Colchester
1648 (17-18 Aug) Preston
1648 (1 Oct) Not Recorded
1650 (27 Apr) Carbisdale
1650 (19 Jul) Edinburgh
1650 (4 Sep) Dunbar
1651 Pitreavie
1651 (3 Sep) Worcester
1655 Dalnaspidal
1659 (Aug) Winnington Bridge
1664 (28 Oct) Fyvie
1666 (28 Nov) Rullion Green ("Battle of the Pentlands")
1679 (11 Jun) Drumclog
1679 (22 Jun) Bothwell Bridge (Hamilton Moor)
1680 (20 Jul) Airds Moss
1680 Altimorloch
1685 (Jun) Keynsham
1685 (Jun) Philips Norton
1686 (6 Jul) Sedgemoor
1689 (27 Jul) Killicrankie
1689 (21 Aug) Dunkeld
1690 (1 May) Cromdale
1692 (13 Feb) Glencoe
1715 (12 Nov) Preston
1715 (13 Nov) Sherriffmuir
1719 (10 Jun) Glenshiel
1745 (21 Sep) Prestonpans
1745 (18 Dec) Clifton
1746 (17 Jan) Falkirk
1746 (16 Apr) Culloden
![]() 1778 (22 Apr) Whitehaven
1797 Fishguard
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Ayrshire Archaeological & Natural History Society 2nd Series Vol
1 1950
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