The Battle of Myton, fought on 20 September 1319 during the First War of Scottish Independence, saw a Scottish raiding force under Sir James Douglas and Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, clash with an English levy under William Melton, Archbishop of York. The encounter, fought near the River Swale at Myton-on-Swale in Yorkshire, is sometimes called the “Chapter of Myton” because of the large number of clergy who fought and perished.
The battle highlighted both the strengths of Scottish raiding tactics and the weakness of England’s reliance on poorly trained levies and clerics during the northern campaigns of Edward II.
Background
In 1319, Edward II launched a major siege against Berwick-upon-Tweed. In response, the Scots sent Douglas and Randolph to raid into Yorkshire to force the English king to abandon the siege. York was threatened, and a hastily assembled force led by Archbishop Melton met the Scots at Myton. The English were largely composed of local levies and clergymen, untested against experienced Scottish raiders.
Forces
Leaders
| Side | Commanders |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray; Sir James Douglas |
| England | William Melton, Archbishop of York; Nicholas Fleming, Mayor of York |
Troop Composition
- Scottish forces
- Experienced light infantry and cavalry
- Skilled in guerrilla warfare and rapid raids
- Estimated 5,000 men
- English forces
- Militia, levies, and large numbers of clergy
- Few professional soldiers
- Estimated 10,000, but poorly armed and trained
Arms and Armour
- Scottish troops
- Swords: arming swords, early claymore variants, and long knives (dirks)
- Polearms: spears and halberd-like axes
- Armour: mail hauberks for the elite, leather and quilted gambesons for common soldiers
- English militia and clergy
- Swords: some arming swords, but many had makeshift weapons such as staves, farming scythes, and clubs
- Armour: clerics and townsmen had limited mail or none at all; many fought unarmoured
- Shields: few proper shields, though some improvised wooden defences were used
The Battle
The English army attempted to face the Scots along the River Swale. The Scots set fire to haystacks, creating smoke that unsettled the militia. When the English line broke, the Scots launched a charge. The untrained levies panicked, many drowned in the river while trying to escape, and the rest were cut down.
It became known as the “Chapter of Myton” because so many priests perished in the fighting. Contemporary estimates suggest thousands were killed, though numbers are debated.
Archaeology
- No significant battlefield archaeology has been conducted at Myton, unlike other major engagements of the war.
- Some finds of medieval weaponry and buckles in the surrounding area have been loosely attributed to the clash.
- Local tradition preserves the battlefield site, though the River Swale’s changing course makes precise reconstruction difficult.
Battle Timeline
- Early September 1319: Edward II lays siege to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
- Mid-September 1319: Douglas and Randolph raid into Yorkshire, burning Beverley and advancing toward York.
- 20 September 1319: Archbishop Melton gathers a large force of militia and clergy at Myton-on-Swale.
- Afternoon: Scots set haystacks alight, creating smoke and confusion.
- Battle begins: English levies charge but quickly break; many drown in the Swale while retreating.
- Aftermath: Thousands of English killed; Scots continue raiding before returning north. Edward II abandons the siege of Berwick.
Contemporary Quotes
- The Lanercost Chronicle: “The Scots made great slaughter of the English, without pity for the clergy or reverence for the holy orders.”
- The Chronicle of Lanercost also noted that the battlefield “ran red with the blood of priests,” giving the battle its infamous name.
Legacy
The defeat at Myton was humiliating for the English, as a force twice the size of the Scots collapsed. It underlined the poor military organisation of northern levies and forced Edward II to abandon his northern campaign. For the Scots, it was a triumph of strategy, drawing English attention away from Berwick and showing the effectiveness of their mobile raiding forces.
The “Chapter of Myton” remains remembered as one of the darkest moments for the English churchmen who took up arms during the wars of independence.
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