[1] On 22 August 1138, the Scottish army under the command of David I had been defeated at the Battle of the Standard.
Though the Scottish rout was total, the mediation of the newly arrived papal legate, Alberic of Ostia, and the influence of Stephen's queen, Matilda of Boulogne who was David's niece, solidified the truce that had been established at Carlisle.
Stephen, not wishing to face several forces at once had to make concessions with the Scottish king.
David's son Henry was given the earldom of Northumberland which included Carlisle, Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire to the north of Ribble, except the castles of Bamburgh and Newcastle.
David I, via his son Henry, now controlled an English territory which stretched to the Tees.