Battles & Wars: 1201-1400

The Battle of Liegnitz was fought on April 9, 1241, between an alliance of European soldiers and invading Mongol forces. Led by Henry the Pious of Silesia, the allied troops were drawn into battle near present-day Legnica. Using a series of feigned retreats, the Mongols crushed the European army, killing Henry in the process.

The Battle of Mohi was fought April 11, 1241, and saw Mongol forces rout the Hungarians. With the Mongols invading his country, King Bela IV moved with his army to block the enemy. Engaging the enemy near Mohi, he was ultimately driven from the field.

The Battle of the Ice was fought April 5, 1242, during the Northern Crusades. The Battle of the Ice saw Crusader forces engage Novgorod and the Grand Duchy of Vladimir on the frozen surface of Lake Peipus. In the fighting on the ice, the Russians won a clear victory and halted Crusader aggression.

The Battle of Eveham was fought August 4, 1265, during the Second Baron's War. Having been defeated earlier at Lewes, royal forces regrouped under the leadership of Prince Edward and marched against the rebels at Evesham. In the resulting Battle of Evesham, the rebels were routed and their leaders killed.

The Battle of Dunbar was a key engagement during King Edward I's invasion of Scotland in 1296. After capturing Berwick, he sent troops forward to Dunbar where they met the army of King John Balliol. In the resulting action, the Scots were driven from the field.

Fought in 1297, the Battle of Stirling Bridge was an early victory for the Scots over the English during the First War of Scottish Independence. In addition to repelling the English from Scotland, the Battle of Stirling Bridge earned Sir William Wallace fame and acclaim which led to his appointment as Guardian of Scotland.

Marching north in 1298, to avenge the English defeat at Stirling Bridge, King Edward I met a smaller Scottish army under Sir William Wallace at Falkirk. Using his archers to weaken the Scottish lines, Edward's troops were then able to drive the Scots from the field.

Fought near Stirling Castle, the Battle of Bannockburn was the decisive battle of the First War of Scottish Independence. Occurring in 1314, Bannockburn saw the outnumbered forces of Robert the Bruce inflict a devastating defeat on the English led by Edward II. The victory at Bannockburn secured Bruce's position as king of Scotland and paved...

The Battle of Boroughbridge was fought March 16, 1322, during the Despenser War. Fought in Yorkshire, the Battle of Boroughbridge pitted royal forces against rebelling barons. In the course of the fighting, the royal troops won the Battle of Boroughbridge and the Earl of Hereford was killed.

The Battle of Halidon Hill was fought on July 19, 1333, as the Scots attempted to relieve the besieged city of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Meeting the army of King Edward III at Halidon Hill, the Scots were forced to fight on poor terrain. Advancing uphill, they were cut down by English arrows and ultimately driven from the field.

The Battle of Crécy was fought August 26, 1346, during the Hundred Years' War. Advancing out of Normandy, King Edward III's army encountered the French near Crécy-en-Ponthieu. In the resulting battle, his archers used longbows to cut down waves of French knights.

The Battle of Neville's Cross was fought October 17, 1346, during the Second War of Scottish Independence. Advancing south, David II of Scotland sought to support French campaigns during the Hundred Years' War. Encountering English troops at Neville's Cross, the Scots were defeated and David captured.

The second great English victory of the Hundred Years' War, the Battle of Poitiers saw Edward, The Black Prince, defeat a much larger French army. In the fighting at Poitiers, the King of France, John II, was captured and his army routed.

Clashing on August 9 (or 15), 1388, Scottish forces defeat Henry "Hotspur" Percy at the Battle of Otterburn. A confused battle that was fought by moonlight, Otterburn saw Percy attack the Scots to the north of Newcastle. Though the Scots prevailed, their commander, James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas, was killed in the fighting.