
Clash of Crowns
The Battle of Byland 1322: Robert the Bruce's Forgotten Victory
Harry Pearson(Author)
Pen & Sword Military (Publisher)
Published on 2. May 2024
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-3990-3591-0 (ISBN)
Description
The battle of Byland, on 14 October 1322, was a crucial battle in the Wars of Scottish Independence. This absorbing study from Harry Pearson sheds new light on one of the most overlooked battles in British history.
The area of the North York Moors National Park contains some of the most dramatic and scenic landscapes in the North of England, and none more so than the section of the Cleveland Way, which clings to the edge of the escarpment that marks the western boundary of the Hambleton Hills. On a clear day, the entire Vale of Mowbray can be seen. When visiting the area today it is hard to imagine thousands of English and Scottish troops engaged in bitter conflict there.
At first light on the morning of October 14th in 1322, the armies of two kings confronted each other over this same ground. The soldiers of King Edward II of England looked down from the heights at a force of several thousand men led by King Robert I 'the Bruce' of Scotland, as they deployed below Sutton Bank in the area around Gormire Lake, with thousands more approaching from the direction of Northallerton to the north-west.
Although a daunting sight for the English defenders, they no doubt had confidence in the strength of their seemingly impregnable position. The early morning air would have been thick with the call of shouted orders and war cries and the clamour of the readying of weapons, armour and harness as the Scots drew up into battle-formation, ready to attack up the steep, narrow, and heavily defended pass.
Complete with fresh research and over 100 images and maps, this new edition of _Clash of Crowns_ tells the story of the ensuing battle, the dramatic circumstances which brought it about and the impact of the outcome on the history of the British Isles.
The area of the North York Moors National Park contains some of the most dramatic and scenic landscapes in the North of England, and none more so than the section of the Cleveland Way, which clings to the edge of the escarpment that marks the western boundary of the Hambleton Hills. On a clear day, the entire Vale of Mowbray can be seen. When visiting the area today it is hard to imagine thousands of English and Scottish troops engaged in bitter conflict there.
At first light on the morning of October 14th in 1322, the armies of two kings confronted each other over this same ground. The soldiers of King Edward II of England looked down from the heights at a force of several thousand men led by King Robert I 'the Bruce' of Scotland, as they deployed below Sutton Bank in the area around Gormire Lake, with thousands more approaching from the direction of Northallerton to the north-west.
Although a daunting sight for the English defenders, they no doubt had confidence in the strength of their seemingly impregnable position. The early morning air would have been thick with the call of shouted orders and war cries and the clamour of the readying of weapons, armour and harness as the Scots drew up into battle-formation, ready to attack up the steep, narrow, and heavily defended pass.
Complete with fresh research and over 100 images and maps, this new edition of _Clash of Crowns_ tells the story of the ensuing battle, the dramatic circumstances which brought it about and the impact of the outcome on the history of the British Isles.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
South Yorkshire
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Illustrations
16 colour illustrations, 104 mono illustrations; 120 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 238 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
646 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3990-3591-0 (9781399035910)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Pearson Harry Pearson
Clash of Crowns
The Battle of Byland 1322: Robert the Bruce's Forgotten Victory
E-Book
07/2024
Pen & Sword
€11.99
Available for download

Pearson Harry Pearson
Clash of Crowns
The Battle of Byland 1322: Robert the Bruce's Forgotten Victory
E-Book
07/2024
Pen & Sword
€11.99
Available for download
Person
Harry Pearson volunteers with North York Moors National Park in a number of roles, and is a keen amateur historian. His other passions include shooting the traditional English longbow, writing poetry, and silversmithing.