Battle Cross, Aldborough, N Yorks, UK
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member bill&ben
N 54° 05.551 W 001° 22.916
30U E 605823 N 5995025
A plaque giving some history of the adjacent battle cross
Waymark Code: WMVVG8
Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/29/2017
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Touchstone
Views: 1

The plaque reads

“This cross, which stood in the Market Place of Boroughbridge until 1852, stands monument to commemorate the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322, when Thomas Earl of Lancaster, who was in collusion with the Scots, was defeated by Sir Andrew Hecla, Edward II’s General.”

Edward II was a weak king who was opposed by many of his barons. Chief protagonist to the king was Thomas of Lancaster, the king’s cousin and the wealthiest man in the country after the king. Lancaster had tried to curtail the king’s powers using a set of regulations known as the Ordinances, but had failed. Edward was facing opposition from not only Lancaster but from the Welsh Marches. Lancaster entered an alliance with Robert I of Scotland.

In January 1322 Edward had a victory over the Welsh marchers. He then marched northwards and Lancaster had to flee North. By 16 March of that year Lancaster had reached Boroughbridge and was joined by Sir Robert de Holland and a Lancashire force. Lancaster was opposed by the forces of Sir Andrew Harclay.

Harclay had command of the bridge over the River Ure at Boroughbridge and had superior numbers of soldiers. Lancaster had no choice but to fight, but was beaten and surrendered to Harclay. Lancaster was taken to Pontefract Castle and sentenced to death. On 22 March Lancaster was beheaded.

Andrew Harclay was created Earl of Carlisle by the king. However Harclay was no fan of the king and he negotiated a peace treaty with the Scots. In 1323 this action saw him arraigned for treason, for which he was hung, drawn and quartered. Edward II was deposed in 1327 by Roger Mortimer and Edward’s estranged wife Isabella, in favour of his son, Edward III.
Blue Plaque managing agency: Unknown

Individual Recognized: Battle of Boroughbridge

Physical Address:
Aldborough, N Yorks UK


Web Address: [Web Link]

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dtrebilc visited Battle Cross, Aldborough, N Yorks, UK 04/18/2021 dtrebilc visited it