Battle of Connor

Background

Following Edward Brus' victory at the Battle of Moiry Pass, the Anglo-Irish assembled an army under Edmund Butler, Earl of Carrick and Justiciar in Dublin, by July 22nd, 1315. They moved from Munster and Leinster to join the forces of Richard de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, and father-in-law of Robert the Bruce, to fight Edward Brus' Scottish army.

However, Richard de Burgh refused to let Edmund Butler's government forces into Ulster, fearing widespread damage to his lands. Thus, the two Anglo-Irish armies remained separated.

Battle

Edward Brus began to slowly retreat north, drawing Richard de Burgh into pursuit. Edward and O'Neill allies sacked Coleraine and destroyed the bridge over the River Bann. Edward sent a message to Felim McHugh O'Connor, King of Connacht, that he would support him as King of Connacht if he withdrew his forces. Edward sent the same message to O'Connor's rival, Ruaidri mac Cathal Ua Conchobair, the last High King of Ireland before the Anglo-Norman Invasion. Cathal returned home, raised a rebellion, and declared himself King. O'Connor then followed suit and left to defend his throne. This left Richard de Burgh standing alone against Edward Brus. Philip de Mowbray organized some of his Scotsmen to wave banners and taunt the Anglo-Irish into chasing them.

The Scots then crossed the River Bann in boats and attacked de Burgh, forcing him to retreat to Connor.

On September 10th, 1315, the two armies met near the village of Connor, in the townland of Tannybrake. The Scots' stronger army defeated the Ulster forces under de Burgh,leaving the battlefield wet with blood, wholly covered with weapons and bodies. Richard de Burgh managed to escape to Connaught.

Aftermath

Edward Burs was able to resupply his army at Connor for the coming winter using supplies Richard de Burgh had stored up prior to the battle.

William de Burgh, Richard's cousin, was captured along with other lords. Most of the Anglo-Irish army retreated to Carrickfergus Castle, which the pursuing Scots then surrounded and besieged.

Without the help of the government forces under Edmund Butler supporting de Burgh, the Scots were able to consolidate their hold on Ulster.