Battle of Skerries
Battle of Skerries | |||||||
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Part of the Bruce campaign in Ireland | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Kingdom of Scotland and Gaelic allies | Lordship of Ireland and Gaelic allies | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Edward Bruce |
Earl of Carrick Earl of Desmond | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
At least 6,000 | 10,000 approx | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown | Unknown |
The Battle of Skerries, also named the Battle of Ardscull, took place during the
The battle
Edward Bruce,
Aftermath
The official English account of the battle blamed unfortunate terrain and bad luck for the government forces' loss, not an entirely convincing explanation. The same account also claims that the Scots lost many of their greatest men, while their opponents only lost one man.[2]
After the battle the Scots plundered the nearby town of Athy[3] before withdrawing to Leix, while the Anglo-Irish forces kept them under surveillance from nearby Castledermot, while their leader withdrew to Dublin. Here John Hotham, the king's envoy to Ireland, made a great effort to ensure the loyalty of the Irish nobles.[4] By May, however, Bruce had returned to his safe base in Ulster, while Hotham had returned to his new position in England as Bishop of Ely.[1][4]
References
- ^ a b Duncan, A.A.M (2004), "Bruce, Edward, earl of Carrick (c.1280–1318)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford: Oxford University Press, retrieved 19 July 2008
- ^ ISBN 0-7735-2432-0
- ^ "Historical Notes on the Town of Athy", Journal of the Co. Kildare Archaeological Society and Surrounding Districts, Vol. 1, County Kildare Archaeological Society, 1895
- ^ a b Buck, M.C (2004), "Hotham, John (d. 1337)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford: Oxford University Press, retrieved 19 July 2008