Battle of Roslin

Part of the First War of Scottish Independence

Battle of Roslin memorial

Date	24 February 1303
Location	Midlothian, Scotland
Result	Scottish victory

Belligerents

Kingdom of Scotland

Kingdom of England

Commanders and leaders

John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Guardian of Scotland
Simon Fraser

Sir John Segrave

Strength

~4000

~10,000

Casualties and losses

~1000

~4000

The Battle of Roslin was one of the most important battles of the First War of Scottish Independence. A monument cairn erected by the Roslin Heritage Society at the end of the 20th century marks the site of the battle which took place on 24 February 1303.

The Scottish historian John of Fordun wrote this description of the battle: "There never was so desperate a struggle, or one in which the stoutness of knightly prowess shone forth so brightly. The commander and leader in this struggle was John Comyn, the son... John Comyn, then guardian of Scotland, and Simon Fraser with their followers, day and night, did their best to harass and to annoy, by their general prowess, the aforesaid kings officers and bailiffs... the aforesaid John Comyn and Simon, with their abettors, hearing of their arrival at Rosslyn and wishing to steal a march rather than have one stolen upon them, came briskly through from Biggar to Rosslyn, in one night, with some chosen men, who chose rather death before unworthy subjection to the English nation; and all of a sudden they fearlessly fell upon the enemy."

Following the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, the country was occupied by English forces led by Sir John de Segrave. While commander of Edinburgh Castle, de Segrave met and fell in love with a local beauty, Lady Margaret Ramsey of Dalhousie. However, Lady Margaret's choice was for Sir Henry St. Clair of Rosslyn, who had already participated in the first battle of the War of Independence when a Scottish army led by Sir William Wallace annihilated the English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297.

When Sir Henry and Lady Margaret were betrothed late in 1302, de Segrave was incensed. From his base in Carlisle he wrote a letter to Edward I requesting permission to invade Scotland, a request immediately granted by the "Hammer of the Scots". In mid-February 1303 an army of 30,000 soldiers crossed the border under the cover of darkness, the Scots only becoming aware of their presence when they descended on Melrose. Segrave then split the army into three: one group was charged with attacking Borthwick Castle near Gorebridge, the second was to besiege Lady Margaret's home of Dalhousie Castle and the third, led by de Segrave himself, was launched against Rosslyn and the object of his jealous rage, Sir Henry St. Clair.

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