Siege of Carlisle (1315)

54°53′42″N 2°56′02″W / 54.895°N 2.934°W / 54.895; -2.934

Siege of Carlisle (1315)
Part of the First War of Scottish Independence
Carlisle Castle, modern day
Date 22 July to 1 August 1315 Location Carlisle, England Result English victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of England	Kingdom of Scotland
Commanders and leaders
Sir Andrew Harclay	Robert the Bruce James Douglas
Strength
Unknown	10,000[1]

The siege of Carlisle took place from 22 July to 1 August 1315, during the First War of Scottish Independence, near the town of Carlisle, in Cumbria, England.

Following victory at Bannockburn in 1314, Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, launched a series of raids into Northern England. Many areas along the Anglo-Scottish border were claimed by both Scotland and England, including Carlisle, which controlled access to North-West England.

Carlisle Castle was a strong position, defended by a garrison commanded by Andrew Harclay, 1st Earl of Carlisle, an experienced veteran soldier. Despite their battlefield victories, the Scots lacked the expertise or resources necessary to sustain a lengthy siege; after failing to breach the walls, they withdrew on 1 August.

Victory played an important part in Harclay's rise to prominence; he was later created Earl of Carlisle, before being executed in 1323.