Siege of Carlisle (1315)

The Siege of Carlisle (1315), was a conflict in the First War of Scottish Independence. Robert the Bruce, after his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn, had led a raid into England, and went to besiege Carlisle. He used all methods he could, including ladders and a siege tower to get his troops up. But many ladders were knocked down and the siege tower got stuck in mud on the banks of the river Eden which surrounded all the castle that was not enclosed within the city Walls. (the course of the river was changed at some point in the 19th century). the Castle was under Andrew Harclay, 1st Earl of Carlisle. Andrew was a brilliant commander, added to that the defenses on the Walls which included many scorpions among other defenses. Robert was driven off with heavy casualties finally giving up when the siege tower got stuck.