Battle of Flodden
On the 28th of June 1513, Pope Leo X sent a letter to James IV of Scotland threatening him with ecclesiastical censure for breaking his peace treaties with England. This diplomatic rupture followed years of cross-border raids and the death of Scottish privateer Andrew Barton in 1511. Henry VIII of England claimed overlordship of Scotland while James IV sought to honor the Auld Alliance with France by diverting English troops from their campaign against Louis XII. The conflict began when James declared war on England, though he had been warned that any attempt to invade would be met with fierce resistance. Catherine of Aragon, serving as regent in England, ordered Thomas Lovell to raise an army in the Midland counties upon hearing of the invasion on the 3rd of September. James himself set off that night with two hastily prepared standards of St Margaret and St Andrew after five cannons were brought down from Edinburgh Castle to the Netherbow Port at St Mary's Wynd.
James IV encamped his invading army on a commanding hilltop position at Flodden Edge, where marshes protected one flank and steep slopes guarded the other. Surrey's army carried out a circuitous march to position themselves in the rear of the Scottish camp, moving east across the River Till before picking up the old Roman road known as the Devil's Causeway. On Thursday, the 8th of September, Surrey turned north toward Branxton Hill, intending to outflank the Scots and either attack or blockade them from the rear. James quickly saw the threat and ordered his army to break camp and move to Branxton Hill, denying the feature to the English while still giving his pike formations the advantage of a downhill attack. The disadvantage was that the Scots were moving onto ground that had not been reconnoitered, which would prove fatal when they encountered an area of marshy land lying in their path.
At about 4 pm on Friday, the 9th of September, James began the battle with an artillery duel, but his big guns did not perform as well as he had hoped due to poor siting and difficult shooting conditions. The next phase started when Home and Huntly's battle on the Scottish left advanced downhill towards Edmund Howard's forces, placing their most heavily armoured men in the front rank so that English archers had little impact. When Huntly suggested they rejoin the fighting, Home replied: "the man does well this day who saves himself." Meanwhile, James observed the initial success and ordered the advance of the next battle commanded by Errol, Crawford and Montrose. At the foot of Branxton Hill, they encountered an unforeseen obstacle, an area of marshy ground made worse by days of heavy rain. As they struggled to cross the waterlogged ground, the Scots lost cohesion and momentum, dropping their long pikes so that it seemed as if a wood were falling down.
Ten days after the Battle of Flodden, the Lords of Council met at Stirling on the 19th of September and set up a General Council of the Realm to rule in the name of Margaret Tudor and her son James V of Scotland. The full Parliament of Scotland met at Stirling Castle on the 21st of October, where the 17-month-old King was crowned in the Chapel Royal. Margaret Tudor remained guardian or 'tutrix' of the King but was not made Regent of Scotland. Antoine d'Arces arrived at Dumbarton Castle in November with a shipload of armaments which were transported to Stirling. Now that James IV was dead, Antoine promoted the appointment of John Stewart, Duke of Albany, as Regent to rule Scotland instead of Margaret and her son. Albany came to Scotland on the 26th of May 1515, creating a power vacuum that destabilized the kingdom for
years.
Surrey's army lost 1,500 men killed in battle while various conflicting accounts exist regarding Scottish losses. A contemporary account produced in French stated that about 10,000 Scots were killed, a claim repeated by Henry VIII on the 16th of September. Italian newsletters put the Scottish losses at 18,000 or 20,000 and the English at 5,000. Brian Tuke sent a newsletter stating 10,000 Scots killed and 10,000 escaped the field. George Buchanan wrote that there were about 5,000 killed according to lists compiled throughout the counties of Scotland. Edward Hall wrote thirty years later that "12,000 at the least of the best gentlemen and flower of Scotland" were slain. Nearly every noble family in Scotland would have lost a member at Flodden, with notable casualties including Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll, and William Hay, 4th Earl of Erroll.
A monument erected in 1910 stands easily reached from
Branxton village by following the road past St Paul's Church. Each year, the neighbouring Scottish town of Coldstream marks the Battle of Flodden with a traditional horse ride to the battlefield and then having a service to mark all those who perished during the fight during the town's Civic Week held in the first week of August. The stained-glass Flodden Window in St Leonard's Church, Middleton, now in Greater Manchester, reputedly houses the oldest war memorial in Great Britain, constructed by Sir Richard Assheton in memory of the archers from Middleton who fought in it. The Quincentennial of the battle in 2013 was commemorated by a programme of projects funded by an £887,300 Heritage Lottery Fund grant including the expansion of the Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum and archaeology, documentary research and education projects, exhibitions and a solemn commemoration.
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Common questions
When did the Battle of Flodden take place?
The Battle of Flodden took place on Friday, the 9th of September 1513. James IV began the battle with an artillery duel at about 4 pm that day.
Who were the main leaders in the Battle of Flodden?
James IV led the Scottish army while Henry VIII claimed overlordship of Scotland and Surrey commanded the English forces. Catherine of Aragon served as regent in England during the conflict.
What happened to James IV after the Battle of Flodden?
James IV died during the battle which occurred on the 9th of September 1513. His death led to a power vacuum where John Stewart Duke of Albany became Regent on the 26th of May 1515.
How many Scots were killed in the Battle of Flodden?
Contemporary accounts state that between 10,000 and 20,000 Scots were killed in the battle. Edward Hall wrote thirty years later that at least 12,000 of the best gentlemen and flower of Scotland were slain.
Where did the Battle of Flodden occur?
The battle took place at Branxton Hill near Flodden Edge where marshes protected one flank and steep slopes guarded the other. The site is now easily reached from Branxton village by following the road past St Paul's Church.