William the Lion Stone (Alnwick)
(NU 18021368) Monument Site of Battle AD 1174. (1)
In July 1174 William the Lion King of Scotland with a small body of men was defeated by the Barons on an open plain before Alnwick Castle. A monument marks the spot. (2)(3)
(NU 18021368) The monument is modern and consists of a simple rectangular stone block mounted on a pedestal of two steps. The inscription agrees with the above information. (4)
William the Lion Commemorative Stone and wall to each side. Grade II listed. (5)
The accession of William the Lion (William I of Scotland) in 1165 brought about renewed border warfare. Henry II (King of England) refused to restore Cumbria or Northumberland to Scottish control. A Scots army invaded Northumberland in 1173 and again in 1174. It was on 11th July 1174 an unexpected encounter between the Scottish King, who was riding with a small escort just outside Alnwick, and the English force which resulted in the Scottish King's capture. (6a)
William's capture forced him to sign the Treaty of Falaise (where William was subsequently held) and this lasted for the next 15 years. (6b)
'1174 Alnwick was besieged by William, at the head of 80,000 Scottish forces, but was successfully defended by William de Vescy, Robert de Stuteville, Ranulph de Glanville, and others, who took the monarch prisoner, and sent him to London, where he was kept in confinement till released by his subjects, who paid £100,000 for his ransom (6c)
Description of an account by Benedict of Peterborough of the event. (6d)
In July 1174 William the Lion King of Scotland with a small body of men was defeated by the Barons on an open plain before Alnwick Castle. A monument marks the spot. (2)(3)
(NU 18021368) The monument is modern and consists of a simple rectangular stone block mounted on a pedestal of two steps. The inscription agrees with the above information. (4)
William the Lion Commemorative Stone and wall to each side. Grade II listed. (5)
The accession of William the Lion (William I of Scotland) in 1165 brought about renewed border warfare. Henry II (King of England) refused to restore Cumbria or Northumberland to Scottish control. A Scots army invaded Northumberland in 1173 and again in 1174. It was on 11th July 1174 an unexpected encounter between the Scottish King, who was riding with a small escort just outside Alnwick, and the English force which resulted in the Scottish King's capture. (6a)
William's capture forced him to sign the Treaty of Falaise (where William was subsequently held) and this lasted for the next 15 years. (6b)
'1174 Alnwick was besieged by William, at the head of 80,000 Scottish forces, but was successfully defended by William de Vescy, Robert de Stuteville, Ranulph de Glanville, and others, who took the monarch prisoner, and sent him to London, where he was kept in confinement till released by his subjects, who paid £100,000 for his ransom (6c)
Description of an account by Benedict of Peterborough of the event. (6d)
N4509
20th Century (1901 to 2000)
Medieval (1066 to 1540)
Medieval (1066 to 1540)
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1954; E Geary
MEASURED SURVEY, NHPP Battlefields Project ; English Heritage
MEASURED SURVEY, NHPP Battlefields Project ; English Heritage
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