Battle of Alnwick

The Battle of Alnwick, fought in 1174, was a significant confrontation during the Great Revolt against King Henry II of England. As part of the wider rebellion, William the Lion, King of Scotland, sought to capitalize on the internal English strife by invading northern England. However, on July 13, near the castle of Alnwick in Northumberland, a small English force led by Ranulf de Glanvill executed a surprise attack on the Scottish king's much larger army. During the skirmish, William the Lion was captured, turning the tide of the conflict in favor of Henry II. William's capture led to the Treaty of Falaise, which required the Scottish king to recognize Henry II as his overlord, temporarily undermining Scottish independence. The battle highlighted the vulnerabilities even major rulers faced during medieval warfare and significantly impacted Anglo-Scottish relations.