battle of Alnwick

Alnwick, battle of, 1174. In pursuit of his claims to the northern shires, William I ‘the Lion’, king of Scotland, invaded England in 1173 and 1174. In 1174, having failed to take Carlisle, Wark, and Prudhoe castles, William decided to ravage the coastal plain of Northumberland. On the morning of 13 July, William and the few knights he had with him were caught completely by surprise outside Alnwick castle by a force loyal to Henry II led by Ranulf Glanvill. A sharp fight followed before William was led away in captivity to Henry II who imposed severe terms.