 When Lancaster arrived at the town of Boroughbridge , Harclay was already in possession of the bridge crossing the river . The rebel forces counted probably no more than 700 knights and men @-@ at @-@ arms , against the 4 @,@ 000 or so soldiers in the royal army . Lancaster initially tried to negotiate , but Harclay could not be swayed . Since there was no realistic alternative place to cross the river , and with the royal forces in pursuit from the south , the rebels had no choice but to fight . The ensuing battle was short and one @-@ sided . 
