List of battles between England and Scotland explained

The Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland fought dozens of battles with each other. They fought typically over land, and the Anglo-Scottish border frequently changed as a result. Prior to the establishment of the two kingdoms, in the 10th and 9th centuries, their predecessors, the Northumbrians, Picts and Dal Riatans, also fought a number of battles. Conflicts predating Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain such as those between Celtic Britons and Picts are not covered in this article. Major conflicts between the two parties include the Wars of Scottish Independence (1296–1357), and the Rough Wooing (1544–1551), as well as numerous smaller campaigns and individual confrontations. In 1603, England and Scotland were joined in a "personal union" when King James VI of Scotland succeeded to the throne of England as King James I. War between the two states largely ceased, although the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in the 17th century, and the Jacobite risings of the 18th century, are sometimes characterised as Anglo-Scottish conflicts.

This list is arranged in chronological order.

Battles between Northumbria and the Picts/Dal Riatans

DateNameNotes
596Battle of RaithBattle where the Angles defeated an alliance of Scots, Britons and Picts under King Áedán mac Gabráin of Dál Riata. Actually a confusion with the Battle of Catraeth.
603Battle of DegsastanBattle between the English Kingdom of Bernicia and the kingdom of Dál Riata under King Áedán mac Gabráin.
671Battle of Two RiversEcgfrith of the Northumbrians defeated the Picts.
685Battle of DunnichenKing Bridei Mac Bili defeats the Northumbrians. Ending Northumbrian hegemony in northern Britain.

Early battles between England and Scotland

DateNameNotes
937Battle of BrunanburhEnglish victory over the combined armies of the kingdoms of Scotland, Dublin and Strathclyde.
1016/1018Battle of CarhamVictory for Malcolm II over Huctred, son of Waldef. Believed to have won Lothian for Scotland.
1054Battle of Dunsinane
1093Battle of AlnwickWhile besieging Alnwick Malcolm III was killed by knights led by Robert de Mowbray and his army fled.
1138Battle of ClitheroeEnglish army was routed by William fitz Duncan.
1138Battle of the StandardDavid I routed by an army led by William of Aumale. Also known as the Battle of Northallerton.
1174Battle of AlnwickWilliam I of Scotland was captured by a small English force led by Ranulf de Glanvill.

First War of Scottish Independence

See main article: First War of Scottish Independence.

DateNameNotes
1296Capture of BerwickEnglish under Robert de Clifford take Berwick-upon-Tweed.
1296Battle of DunbarJohn de Warenne defeats John Balliol, paving the way for most of Scotland to fall to Edward I.
1297Raid of SconeWilliam Wallace joined forces with William Douglas the Hardy and led a successful raid on Scone, Scotland.
1297Battle of Stirling BridgeWilliam Wallace & Andrew de Moray defeated the English forces of John de Warenne and Hugh de Cressingham near Stirling on the River Forth.
1298Battle of FalkirkLed by Edward I the English army defeated the Scots led by William Wallace. Shortly after the battle Wallace resigned as Guardian of Scotland
1300English victory
1303Battle of RoslinA Scottish force under John III Comyn defeated the English under Sir John Segrave in a series of encounters.
1304Action at HapprewWilliam Wallace and Sir Simon Fraser were defeated by an army of English knights led by Sir John Segrave.
1304Siege of Stirling CastleThe English under Edward I capture Stirling Castle.
1304Action at EarnsideDetails are scarce, although it is the last action known to be fought by William Wallace.
1306Battle of MethvenRobert the Bruce routed at Methven by Aymer de Valence.
1307Battle of Glen TroolRobert the Bruce drives back an English raiding party in a minor skirmish.
1307Rebel Scots win a significant victory against the royalist army and their Irish allies.
1307Battle of Loudoun HillRobert the Bruce's first major victory over the English.

Second War of Scottish Independence

See main article: Second War of Scottish Independence.

Border Wars

Anglo-Scottish Wars

See main article: Anglo-Scottish Wars.

Rough Wooing

See main article: The Rough Wooing.

Reformation

See main article: Scottish Reformation.

Border skirmishes

See main article: Border reivers.

Wars of the Three Kingdoms

See main article: Anglo-Scottish war (1650-1652).