Battle of Happrew (1304)
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Happrew was a skirmish which took place around February 1304, during the First War of Scottish Independence
. A chevauchée
of English
knights, which included Robert de Clifford
, William de Latimer and the later Scottish King, Robert the Bruce had been sent south from Dunfermline
under Sir John Segrave
to locate and capture the rebels Sir William Wallace
and Sir Simon Fraser.
The rebel Scots were routed but Fraser and Wallace escaped.
, near Peebles
in the Scottish Borders
. Current maps provide locations for Easter Happrew and Wester Happrew. However, the precise location of the skirmish is unknown and the coordinates given are approximate.
First War of Scottish Independence
The First War of Scottish Independence lasted from the invasion by England in 1296 until the de jure restoration of Scottish independence with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328...
. A chevauchée
Chevauchée
A chevauchée was a raiding method of medieval warfare for weakening the enemy, focusing mainly on wreaking havoc, burning and pillaging enemy territory, in order to reduce the productivity of a region; as opposed to siege warfare or wars of conquest...
of English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
knights, which included Robert de Clifford
Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford
Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford, also 1st Lord of Skipton , was an English soldier who became first Lord Warden of the Marches, defending the English border with Scotland. He was born in Clifford Castle, Herefordshire, and was married there in 1295 to Maud de Clare, eldest daughter of...
, William de Latimer and the later Scottish King, Robert the Bruce had been sent south from Dunfermline
Dunfermline
Dunfermline is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland, on high ground from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. According to a 2008 estimate, Dunfermline has a population of 46,430, making it the second-biggest settlement in Fife. Part of the town's name comes from the Gaelic word...
under Sir John Segrave
Sir John Segrave
Sir John Segrave was a commander in the First War of Scottish Independence. He commanded the English in Battle of Roslin, and the Battle of Happrew. He also was involved with the execution of William Wallace, and was the one who carried his limbs all over Scotland. He died a wealthy man....
to locate and capture the rebels Sir William Wallace
William Wallace
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
and Sir Simon Fraser.
The rebel Scots were routed but Fraser and Wallace escaped.
Location
The action took place in the vicinity of StoboStobo Kirk
Stobo Kirk is an ancient church of the Church of Scotland. It is dedicated to St Mungo and is situated near the B712 off the A72 just 6 miles south-west of Peebles in the ancient county of Peeblesshire, now part of the Scottish Borders Council area....
, near Peebles
Peebles
Peebles is a burgh in the committee area of Tweeddale, in the Scottish Borders, lying on the River Tweed. According to the 2001 Census, the population was 8,159.-History:...
in the Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
. Current maps provide locations for Easter Happrew and Wester Happrew. However, the precise location of the skirmish is unknown and the coordinates given are approximate.