54°53′42″N 2°56′02″W / 54.895°N 2.934°W
Siege of Carlisle (1315) | |||||||
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Part of the First War of Scottish Independence | |||||||
![]() Carlisle Castle, modern day | |||||||
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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.