The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.The First War (1296–1328) began with the English invasion of Scotland in 1296 and ended with the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton in 1328. The Second War (1332–1357) began with the English-supported invasion by Edward Balliol and the "Disinherited" in 1332 and ended in 1357 with the signing of the Treaty of Berwick. The wars were part of a great crisis for Scotland, and the period became one of the most defining times in its history. At the end of both wars, Scotland retained its status as an independent state. The wars were important for other reasons, such as the emergence of the longbow as a key weapon in medieval warfare.The Battle of Old Byland (also known as the Battle of Byland Abbey, the Battle of Byland Moor and the Battle of Scotch Corner) was a significant encounter between Scots and English troops in Yorkshire in October 1322, forming part of the Wars of Scottish Independence. It was a victory for the Scots, the most significant since Bannockburn.Ever since Robert Bruce's victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, the Scots had taken the initiative in the wars with England, raiding deep into the north of the country repeatedly and with comparative ease to attempt to force the English to the peace-table. The English king, Edward II seemed incapable of dealing with the problem, since he wasn't like his father, Edward I, who had both military and political know-how, so Edward II was distracted, as he often was, in a political struggle with his own barons and refused to even begin peace negotiations with the Scots which would have required recognizing Robert the Bruce as King of the Scots. In early 1322, the situation had become critical, with some senior English noblemen, headed by Thomas of Lancaster, preparing to enter into an alliance with the Scots.Bruce was quick to take advantage of the threat of civil war in England.Robert I fought successfully during his reign to restore Scotland to an independent kingdom and is a Scottish national hero.

Absolutely loved this book; it's always good to know more about the not-so-famous battles, as they're also part of history and mattered in many ways. I particularly enjoyed the few chapters that cover the run-up to the Battle and the explanation of the Anglo-Scottish relations. Well done, harry Pearson!

Well written and informative this 2s an interesting o9 that is well researched and goes into a good deal of detail.

Clash of Crowns The Battle of Byland 1322: Robert the Bruce’s Forgotten Victory by Harry Pearson is a fantastic read of a history close to my heart being of County Durham, the Land of the Prince Bishops, also with a much under-reported history of the Wars of Scottish Independance

Clash of Crowns describes the events leading up to, after and during the Battle of Byland, 14 October 1322 which was a crucial turning point in the wars for Scottish independance. The book is beautifully illustrated with detailed maps that enhance the already exhilerating experience of the account

Well written, personable ad intricately researched, this was an utterly fascinating read and highly recommended

Thank you to NetGalley, Pen & Sword | Pen & Sword Military and the author Harry Pearson for this brilliant ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own