Scottish-Norwegian War
Encyclopedia
The Scottish-Norwegian War was a conflict, or a small war from 1262–1266. The conflict arose because of the disagreement over the ownership of the Hebrides
. The "war" contained only small skirmishes and feuds between the kings. The only major battle in this small war was the Battle of Largs
, an indecisive battle.
began asking the king of Norway, Haakon Haakonsson
(also spelled Håkon), if he could purchase the islands from him. For almost a decade these attempts were unsuccessful, and the negotiations ceased for thirteen years when Alexander II died. When his son Alexander III
came to power in 1262, by obtaining majority support among the clansmen, he sent Haakon a final request saying that if Haakon did not sell them the Islands they would take them by force.
warships, and setting out, in July 1263 to defend the Western Isles. Haakon stopped at the Isle of Arran
where negotiations were started. Alexander III stalled during the negotiations until the autumn storms, but Haakon realized his plan and attacked ahead of schedule. Unfortunately for Haakon the autumn storms came early that year and most of his ships were ravaged or badly damaged. Haakon retreated for a short time in order to repair his ships, but attacked again at the Largs in October 1263. The Norwegians were attacked by Scottish bowmen as they landed on the beaches, but they pressed forward and Alexander III’s forces charged forward, throughout the day the battle continued and because of the continuous assault by the archers and a growing storm, Haakon’s forces found it difficult to get reinforcements to the front lines. At the end of the day the Norwegians retreated, and Haakon asked for a temporary truce to collect the dead, Alexander agreed. The following morning Haakon’s forces sailed back to Orkney, where he died in December. Haakon’s successor finally ceded the Isle of Man and the Hebrides to Alexander III in 1266, in the Treaty of Perth.
where the most prominent battle was fought.
Hebrides
The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
. The "war" contained only small skirmishes and feuds between the kings. The only major battle in this small war was the Battle of Largs
Battle of Largs
The Battle of Largs was an engagement fought between the armies of Norway and Scotland near the present-day town of Largs in North Ayrshire on the Firth of Clyde in Scotland on 2 October 1263. It was the most important military engagement of the Scottish-Norwegian War. The Norwegian forces were...
, an indecisive battle.
Background
The Norwegian suzerainty over the Hebrides had been contested since the 1240s, when the Scottish king Alexander IIAlexander II of Scotland
Alexander II was King of Scots from1214 to his death.-Early life:...
began asking the king of Norway, Haakon Haakonsson
Haakon IV of Norway
Haakon Haakonarson , also called Haakon the Old, was king of Norway from 1217 to 1263. Under his rule, medieval Norway reached its peak....
(also spelled Håkon), if he could purchase the islands from him. For almost a decade these attempts were unsuccessful, and the negotiations ceased for thirteen years when Alexander II died. When his son Alexander III
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
came to power in 1262, by obtaining majority support among the clansmen, he sent Haakon a final request saying that if Haakon did not sell them the Islands they would take them by force.
The war (1262–1263)
Haakon responded to this request by gathering a fleet, of over 120 leidangLeidang
The institution known as leiðangr , leidang , leding, , ledung , expeditio or sometimes lething , was a public levy of free farmers typical for medieval Scandinavians. It was a form of conscription to organise coastal fleets for seasonal excursions and in defence of the realm...
warships, and setting out, in July 1263 to defend the Western Isles. Haakon stopped at the Isle of Arran
Isle of Arran
Arran or the Isle of Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, and with an area of is the seventh largest Scottish island. It is in the unitary council area of North Ayrshire and the 2001 census had a resident population of 5,058...
where negotiations were started. Alexander III stalled during the negotiations until the autumn storms, but Haakon realized his plan and attacked ahead of schedule. Unfortunately for Haakon the autumn storms came early that year and most of his ships were ravaged or badly damaged. Haakon retreated for a short time in order to repair his ships, but attacked again at the Largs in October 1263. The Norwegians were attacked by Scottish bowmen as they landed on the beaches, but they pressed forward and Alexander III’s forces charged forward, throughout the day the battle continued and because of the continuous assault by the archers and a growing storm, Haakon’s forces found it difficult to get reinforcements to the front lines. At the end of the day the Norwegians retreated, and Haakon asked for a temporary truce to collect the dead, Alexander agreed. The following morning Haakon’s forces sailed back to Orkney, where he died in December. Haakon’s successor finally ceded the Isle of Man and the Hebrides to Alexander III in 1266, in the Treaty of Perth.
Resolution
Although the war was not really decided while Haakon was king he was a major player in the events leading up to the conflict. Alexander the III actually captured the Hebrides in 1264, and then made another formal claim to the Islands which were bought from Norway for a sum of 4,000 marks, and 100 every year after.Impact
Although the tensions between the Norwegians and the Scottish did not immediately evaporate over time they did become culturally mixed on the islands. Both cultures celebrate with a large festival at LargsLargs
Largs is a town on the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire, Scotland, about from Glasgow. The original name means "the slopes" in Scottish Gaelic....
where the most prominent battle was fought.