The Norwegian Invasion of Scotland in 1263

A lingering dispute between Norway and Scotland over control of the chain of islands that lies between Scotland and Ireland culminated in 1263 with the expedition of Hakon (or Haakon) IV against the Scots.  The following texts illustrate the Norwegian attacks along the western seaboard of Scotland, culminating in the battle of Largs.  Although both sides seem to have claimed victory in this campaign, the death of Hakon on December 15, 1263, marked the end of the war.  Three years later, his successor, Magnus V, concluded a treaty with the Scottish king, Alexander III, in which he sold his rights to the islands.

We offer three texts that give information about the campaign:

The Saga of Hakon's version of events

The Book of Pluscarden's version of events

A Letter from R. de Neville to Walter de Merton, relating the information he has heard about the war

Readers might also be interested in this

Account of the campaign, by P.A. Munch, a nineteenth-century historian