On This Day

English defeat the Scottish at Cowton Moor, Yorkshire; banners of various saints are carried into battle, leading to the

English defeat the Scottish at Cowton Moor, Yorkshire; banners of various saints are carried into battle, leading to the name Battle of the Standard

The Battle of the Standard, sometimes called the Battle of Northallerton, took place on 22 August 1138 on Cowton Moor near Northallerton in Yorkshire, England. English forces under William of Aumale repelled a Scottish army led by King David I of Scotland.

King Stephen of England, fighting rebel barons in the south, had sent a small force (largely mercenaries), but the English army was mainly local militia and baronial retinues from Yorkshire and the north Midlands. Archbishop Thurstan of York had exerted himself greatly to raise the army, preaching that to withstand the Scots was to do God's work.

Historical Significance

The Battle of the Standard, sometimes called the Battle of Northallerton, took place on 22 August 1138 on Cowton Moor near Northallerton in Yorkshire, England.

Events Before

  1. Rome-Innocentius II crowns Lotharius III Roman-German emperor

    Rome-Innocentius II crowns Lotharius III Roman-German emperor

  2. Henry II of England is born

    Henry II of England is born

  3. Storm flood ravages Zeeland County

    Storm flood ravages Zeeland County

  4. Norman nobles recognize Stephen of Blois as King of England

    Norman nobles recognize Stephen of Blois as King of England

  5. Louis, Dauphin of France (later Louis VII) (17) weds Eleanor of Aquitaine (about 15) at Cathedral of Saint-André in Bord

    Louis, Dauphin of France (later Louis VII) (17) weds Eleanor of Aquitaine (about 15) at Cathedral of Saint-André in Bordeaux

Events After

  1. Godfried II the Young becomes Duke of Brabant

    Godfried II the Young becomes Duke of Brabant

  2. Second Lateran Council (10th ecumenical council) opens in Rome

    Second Lateran Council (10th ecumenical council) opens in Rome

  3. Battle of Ourique: Afonso Henriques (later Afonso I of Portugal) defeats Moors

    Dom Afonso I nicknamed "the Conqueror" (Portuguese: O Conquistador), "the Founder" (O Fundador) and "the Great" (O Magno) by the Portuguese, was the first king of Portugal, from 26 July 1139 until...

  4. Count Alfonso I of Portugal proclaimed King

    Dom Afonso I nicknamed "the Conqueror" (Portuguese: O Conquistador), "the Founder" (O Fundador) and "the Great" (O Magno) by the Portuguese, was the first king of Portugal, from 26 July 1139 until...

  5. French scholar Peter Abelard is found guilty of heresy

    French scholar Peter Abelard is found guilty of heresy

More from the 1130s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 22, 1138?
The Battle of the Standard, sometimes called the Battle of Northallerton, took place on 22 August 1138 on Cowton Moor near Northallerton in Yorkshire, England. English forces under William of Aumale repelled a Scottish army led by King David I of Scotland. King Stephen of England, fighting rebel barons in the south, had sent a small force (largely mercenaries), but the English army was mainly local militia and baronial retinues from Yorkshire and the north Midlands.
Why is English defeat the Scottish at Cowton Moor, Yorkshire; banners of various sai... significant?
The Battle of the Standard, sometimes called the Battle of Northallerton, took place on 22 August 1138 on Cowton Moor near Northallerton in Yorkshire, England.

Explore More