Battle of Roslin

The Battle of Roslin, fought on February 24, 1303, during the First War of Scottish Independence, was a surprise Scottish victory over a larger English force. Near the village of Roslin, in Midlothian, Scotland, a Scottish army led by Sir John Comyn and Sir Simon Fraser encountered three contingents of English troops in succession, each larger than their own. Through a combination of tactical skill and the element of surprise, the Scots managed to defeat each English detachment in turn, despite being heavily outnumbered overall. The battle is notable not only for the Scottish victory but also for the reported scale of casualties, although some historical accounts regarding the exact numbers may be exaggerated.