The campaign English invasion of Scotland (1400)

arms of george dunbar, earl of march

although henry had announced plans @ november 1399 parliament, did not attempt winter campaign, continued hold quasi-negotiations in must have felt scots profoundly irritating. @ same time, appears house of commons not keen on forthcoming war, and, since extravagence had been major complaint against henry s predecessor, henry constrained in requesting subsidy. @ point, parliament still opposed scottish war, , may eve have believed possible french invasion imperative issue. in june 1400, king summonsed duchy of lancaster retainers muster @ york, , in turn brought personal feudal retinues. @ point, invasion being obvious all, scots attempted re-open negotiations. although scottish ambassadors arrived @ york meet king around 26 june, returned scotland within 2 weeks.

although army summoned assemble @ york on 24 june, did not approach scotland until mid-august. due gradual arrival of army supplies (in cases, delay — king s own tents, example, not despatched westminster until halfway through july). brown suggests henry aware of delays these preparations cause campaign. @ point before army left scotland, muster met constable of england, henry percy, earl of northumberland, , earl marshal, ralph neville, earl of westmorland. individual leaders of each retinue present paid lump sum later distribute in wages troops: men-at-arms reived 1 shilling day, archers half that, captains , leaders not apear have been paid @ higher rate. army left york on 25 july , reached newcastle-upon-tyne 4 days later; plagued shortages of supplies, particularly food, of more had had requested before leaving york. campaign progressed, bad weather exacerbated problem of food shortages, , brown has speculated important consideration in short duration of expedition.

it has been estimated henry s army around 13,000 men, of 800 men-at-arms , 2000 archers came directly royal household. 1 of largest raised in late medieval england; brown notes whilst smaller massive army assembled in 1345 (that fight battle of crécy), larger mustered french service. english fleet patrolled east coast of scotland in order besiege scottish trade , resupply army when required. @ least 3 convoys sent london , humber, first of delivered 100 tonnes of flour , ten tonnes of sea salt henry s army in scotland.

henry crossed border in mid-august. given-wilson has noted care henry took not ravage or pillage countryside on march through berwickshire , lothian. in marked contrast previous expeditions, , given-wilson compares devastation wreacked in last such campaign, richard ii in 1385. puts down presence in english army of earl of dunbar, lands were. brown has suggested king envisaged ... punitive expedition either confrontation or such chevauchée scots eager negotiate. in event, offered no resistance english army marched through haddington.

however, henry s army never progressed further leith; there army keep in physical contact supporting fleet. henry took personal interest in convoys, @ 1 point verbally instructing 2 scottish fishermen fishing in firth of forth paid £2 (unspecified) assistance. however, henry never besieged edinburgh castle duke of rothsay ensconced. now, brown says, henry s campaign had been reduced war of words. 29 august, english army had returned other side of border.