Battle of Renfrew - Battle at Renfrew

Battle At Renfrew

Somerled became aware of the growing army at Renfrew and decided to preemptively strike against the gathering forces, assembling an army of 15,000 from all parts of his kingdom that he then had carried to the shores of Firth of Clyde, in an armada of 160 birlinns.

After landing and marching towards Renfrew, the two sides met near Paisley and the battle began. The Scottish royal army, led by Walter fitz Alan, the High Steward of Scotland consisted of Celtic knights and armoured men-at-arms, while Somerled's Gaelic, Celtic and Viking warriors were no match against them. Somerled was wounded in the leg by a javelin and then killed by the sword of his opponents as well as his eldest son Gillecallum, from his first marriage, who died by his side. With Somerled's death the Gaelic, Celtic and Viking army took flight and many were slain, before the survivors escaped back to the ships.