Battle of Boroughbridge

Battle of Boroughbridge
Part of Despenser War
Map of the battlefield
Date 16 March 1322 Location Boroughbridge, Yorkshire, England 54°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  Earl of Hereford † Baron Clifford
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.