Battle of the Standard
Cowton Moor, near Northallerton, Yorkshire, England
What happened
An English army led by William of Aumale faced the Scottish army of King David I. The English formed a line north of Northallerton around a cart carrying a tall mast hung with church banners: the 'standard'. The Scots attacked in four lines, but the English archers and armoured soldiers held. Within about three hours the Scottish army broke, and David withdrew.
Why it matters
It was a heavy Scottish defeat, but not a decisive one, because David kept most of his army. Within months he reached a settlement that gave him most of what he wanted.
What came next
At Durham in April 1139, David's son Henry was made Earl of Northumberland and David kept Carlisle and Cumberland. In 1157 Malcolm IV handed those lands back to Henry II of England.
Did you know?
The cart-mounted standard was like the carroccio, a type of battle standard used in Italy at the time.
Timeline
- 22 August 1138Battle of the Standard.
- 9 April 1139Settlement at Durham.
- 1157Malcolm IV returns Northumberland, Carlisle and Cumberland.