Relatio de Standardo
Encyclopedia
Relatio de Standardo or De bello standardii ("on the Battle of the Standard"), is a text composed probably in 1153 or 1154 by the Cistercian monk Ailred of Rievaulx
, describing the Battle of the Standard
, fought near Northallerton
in 1138 between David I
, King of Scotland, and a Norman army fighting in support of King Stephen of England.
It is notable for being Ailred's only fully historical work, the others being chiefly religious or eulogistic in focus. The work has no known patron, though it eulogises Walter Espec
and Eustace fitzJohn, as well as giving a good account of King David, though is hostile towards William fitz Duncan
.
It praises the English and Normans fighting on Stephen's behalf and is critical of the Scots and Galwegians. The work has been widely commented upon by modern historians for its vision of English and Norman unity against the alleged barbarism from the Scots and Galwegians.
According to Gransden it survives in only one manuscript, the famous Corpus Christi College Cambridge MS. 139.
In addition to the narrative of the battle, with the Norman forces fighting under the protection of the saints, this work also explores the nature and value of history and gives some extended attention to the founding of Rievaulx itself.
Ailred of Rievaulx
Aelred , also Aelred, Ælred, Æthelred, etc., was an English writer, abbot of Rievaulx , and saint.-Life:...
, describing the Battle of the Standard
Battle of the Standard
The Battle of the Standard, sometimes called the Battle of Northallerton, in which English forces repelled a Scottish army, took place on 22 August 1138 on Cowton Moor near Northallerton in Yorkshire. The Scottish forces were led by King David I of Scotland...
, fought near Northallerton
Northallerton
Northallerton is an affluent market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies in the Vale of Mowbray and at the northern end of the Vale of York. It has a population of 15,741 according to the 2001 census...
in 1138 between David I
David I of Scotland
David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
, King of Scotland, and a Norman army fighting in support of King Stephen of England.
It is notable for being Ailred's only fully historical work, the others being chiefly religious or eulogistic in focus. The work has no known patron, though it eulogises Walter Espec
Walter Espec
Walter Espec was a prominent military and judicial figure of the reign of Henry I of England.His father was probably William Speche, a follower of William I of England In the years up to 1120 he with Eustace Fitz John controlled northern England. He was the builder of Helmsley Castle; he built...
and Eustace fitzJohn, as well as giving a good account of King David, though is hostile towards William fitz Duncan
William fitz Duncan
William fitz Duncan was a Scottish prince, a territorial magnate in northern Scotland and northern England, a general and the legitimate son of king Donnchad II of Scotland by Athelreda of Dunbar.In 1094, his father Donnchad II was killed by Mormaer Máel Petair of...
.
It praises the English and Normans fighting on Stephen's behalf and is critical of the Scots and Galwegians. The work has been widely commented upon by modern historians for its vision of English and Norman unity against the alleged barbarism from the Scots and Galwegians.
According to Gransden it survives in only one manuscript, the famous Corpus Christi College Cambridge MS. 139.
In addition to the narrative of the battle, with the Norman forces fighting under the protection of the saints, this work also explores the nature and value of history and gives some extended attention to the founding of Rievaulx itself.