Sign in
☰
People MPsHouse of LordsGovernmentOppositionPartiesCommittees Votes Commons votesLords votesVotes by issueTopicsStats & rankingsParliament in numbers Legislation BillsEarly day motionsPetitions Elections Election resultsConstituenciesWho is my MP? Scotland OverviewMSPsScottish GovernmentVotesBillsMotionsCommitteesConstituencies & regionsElections Search Sign in

Motion · S6M-06526 · 31 Oct 2022

700th Anniversary of Scotland’s Victory at the Battle of Old Byland

Lodged by Kenneth Gibson (No Party Affiliation) Standard Motion 20 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament commemorates the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Old Byland, which was fought near Sutton Bank hill in North Yorkshire in the early morning of 14 October 1322; understands that the battle was an important event in the Scottish Wars of Independence, which pitted the forces of King Robert I “the Bruce” of Scotland against King Edward II of England, after the latter had invaded Scotland in August 1322; further understands that Edward II had been unable to bring the Scottish king to battle during the occupation of Edinburgh, and that he had ordered the slaughter of all remaining Edinburgh inhabitants; notes that, harried by the Scots, the English subsequently retreated into England towards York; acknowledges that King Robert seized the opportunity to counter-attack, and, after crossing the border near Carlisle, on the morning of the 14 October, the Scots army arrived at the foot of Sutton Bank for the battle; is aware that English resistance was finally broken when King Robert sent a flanking force that mainly consisted of Highlanders to scale the more lightly defended cliffs to the south; considers that, while many English soldiers were subsequently slain or taken prisoner, Edward II made a hastened and undignified escape by fleeing in the darkness to London via York, leaving all his belongings behind; believes that the treasures looted by Robert on the way back to Scotland helped start rebuilding his realm, and contends that the Battle of Old Byland was considered the most important military victory for the Scots since the battle of Bannockburn eight years prior.

Supporters (20)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.