Boroughbridge, battle of

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Boroughbridge, battle of, 1322. Thomas of Lancaster and the earl of Hereford (Bohun), in rebellion against Edward II and the Despensers, retreated into Yorkshire to join the Scots. At Boroughbridge, on 16 March 1322, they found the crossing of the Ure blocked by a strong force of infantry and archers commanded by Sir Andrew Harcla, sheriff of Cumberland. Hereford was killed and Lancaster, who surrendered, was executed for treason. Harcla, created earl of Carlisle, enjoyed his new honours for only a year, hanged by Edward in 1323 for treasonable contacts with the Scots.

J. A. Cannon

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