This Day in History: 1297-11-01

Thomas of Lancaster, later lord of Pontefract, first saw service on the Flanders campaign of 1297-8 and it was on this expedition that he was knighted at Ghent on All Saints Day 1297. As far as we know, this was the only occasion during his public life when he went overseas. Unlike his father, Thomas held few lands abroad, nor did he serve in France as a diplomat or soldier as his father, Edmund, had done. In contrast, he served in Scotland over a long period: he was at Falkirk in 1298; at Caerlaverock in 1300; at Perth with the Prince in the winter of 1303-4; and with him again in the campaign of 1306-7.