Battle of Boroughbridge

Battle of Boroughbridge
Part of Despenser War

Map of the battlefield
Date16 March 1322
Location54°05′49″N 01°23′45″W / 54.09694°N 1.39583°W / 54.09694; -1.39583
Result Royalist victory
Belligerents
Royalists Contrariants
Commanders and leaders
Andrew Harclay
John Peche
Earl of Lancaster Executed
Earl of Hereford 
Baron Clifford Executed
Strength
c. 4,000 c. 1,000
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Battle of Boroughbridge was fought on 16 March 1322 in England between a group of rebellious barons and the forces of King Edward II, near Boroughbridge, north-west of York. The culmination of a long period of antagonism between the King and Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, his most powerful subject, it resulted in Lancaster's defeat and execution, ending the Despenser War. This allowed Edward to re-establish royal authority and hold on to power for almost five more years.

Though not a part of the Wars of Scottish Independence, the battle is significant for its employment of tactics learned in the Scottish wars in a domestic, English conflict. Both the extensive use of foot soldiers rather than cavalry and the heavy impact caused by the longbow represented significant steps in military developments.