In 1315 the English although they outnumbered the Scots three to one were defeated by Robert Bruce king of Scotland and his brother Edward at the battle of Bannochburn. After Bannochburn Edward who had the title Earl of Carrick, Galloway, had thousands of soldiers at his disposal. Meanwhile in Ireland The Irish Earls hearing of Scotlands victory at Bannochburn decided to enlist Edwards help to drive the English from Ireland, Edward readily accepted the invitation.

Some historians are of the opinion that Robert encouraged Edward in this venture for selfish reasons, he realized that Edward was by nature highly ambitious, and perhaps feared for his throne. If Edward was successful he would be occupied for the foreseeable future in Ireland, and if he wasn't then most likely he wouldn't return.

On May 25th Edward landed a force of some six thousand men at Larne. These men were mail clad battle hardened veterans, they were soon joined by large numbers of Irish infantry. Edward sent a portion of his army to lay siege to Carrickfergus Castle which was in the hands of the English, lacking siege engines attacking it would have been futile.

He and his Irish alleys marched south and proceeded from victory to victory, the Scottish Irish alliance seemed invincible. The siege of Carrickfergus Castle wore on, during Easter 1316 Sir Thomas de Mandeville attempting to relieve the siege by an approach from sea was defeated and killed. Inside the castle the situation was becoming increasingly desperate, on the 24th June 1316 during a parley the castle defenders seized 30 Scots. The Laud Annals reports that 8 of these were killed and eaten. The castle finally surrendered in September 1216.