The Battle of the Standard, sometimes called the Battle of Northallerton, in which English forces repelled a Scottish army, took place on 22 August 1138 on Cowton Moor near Northallerton in Yorkshire. The Scottish forces were led by King David I of Scotland. The English were commanded by William of Aumale. David had entered England for two declared reasons: * To support his niece Matilda's claim to the English throne against that of King Stephen (married to another niece) * To enlarge his kingdom beyond his previous gains.