Battle of Alnwick (1093)

William set about rectifying this by appointing strong barons who would control the border and prevent Scottish incursions.

The events leading up to the next invasion are unclear, but in November 1093, Malcolm led an army into Northumbria and began to besiege Alnwick.

At that time Robert de Mowbray was Earl of Northumbria, having been pardoned following his part in the Rebellion of 1088 against William II.

He arrived there with his forces on 13 November (known as St Brice’s Day) and catching the Scottish army by surprise, the English knights attacked them before the ramparts of Alnwick.

Robert de Mowbray, who defeated Malcolm, subsequently joined a baronial conspiracy against William Rufus in 1095, and, as a result, was dispossessed and imprisoned for life.

'Malcolm's Cross' is said to mark the spot where Malcolm III of Scotland was killed while attacking Alnwick Castle in 1093.