Byland, battle of

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Byland, battle of, 1322. The victory of his supporters at Boroughbridge in March 1322 encouraged Edward II to undertake another campaign against the Scots in the summer. After besieging Berwick without success, he retired, pursued by Robert I Bruce. While the king was at Rievaulx abbey, Bruce's men attacked over the hills from Northallerton. They dispersed the royal rearguard at Old Byland, just west of Rievaulx on 14 October, but Edward escaped to York, losing most of his personal possessions. The battle was no more than a skirmish, but a king of England in flight in his own country was mortifying.

J. A. Cannon

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