Difference between revisions of "Flodden, Battle of" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Flodden Field (Braxton) - 2004-Feb-06 - Looking SSE from the monument.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|Western side of the battlefield, looking south-south-east from the monument erected in 1910. The Scottish army advanced down the ploughed field, the English down the grassy field in the foreground, and they met, presumably at the valley boundary between the two fields.]]
 
[[Image:Flodden Field (Braxton) - 2004-Feb-06 - Looking SSE from the monument.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|Western side of the battlefield, looking south-south-east from the monument erected in 1910. The Scottish army advanced down the ploughed field, the English down the grassy field in the foreground, and they met, presumably at the valley boundary between the two fields.]]
  
The '''Battle of Flodden''' or '''Flodden Field''' was fought in the county of [[Northumberland]], in northern [[England]] on September 9, 1513, between an invading [[Scottish people|Scots]] army under King [[James IV of Scotland|James IV]] and an English army commanded by [[Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk|Thomas Howard]]. It ended in a bloody defeat for the Scots.
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The '''Battle of Flodden''' or '''Flodden Field''' was fought in the county of Northumberland, in northern [[England]] on September 9, 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV of Scotland and an English army commanded by Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. It ended in a bloody defeat for the Scots.
  
 
== Background ==
 
== Background ==
This conflict began when King James declared war on England, to honour the [[Auld Alliance]]; namely, to divert [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]]'s English troops from their campaign against the French king [[Louis XII of France|Louis XII]]. England was involved in a larger conflict; defending [[Italy]] and the [[Pope]] from the [[France|French]], (see [[Italian Wars]]), as a member of the "[[Catholic League (Italian)|Catholic League]]".
+
This conflict began when King James declared war on England, to honour the Auld Alliance; namely, to divert [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]]'s English troops from their campaign against the French king [[Louis XII of France|Louis XII]]. England was involved in a larger conflict; defending [[Italy]] and the [[Pope]] from the [[France|French], as a member of the "Catholic League" (Italilian states).
 
James of Scotland invaded England with an army of over 60,000 men. A recent book by the Scottish historian Niall Barr suggests that by the time he reached the battlefield this number had reduced considerably but this is contrary to the accepted view. He was faced by a much smaller English Army probably numbering less than 30,000.
 
James of Scotland invaded England with an army of over 60,000 men. A recent book by the Scottish historian Niall Barr suggests that by the time he reached the battlefield this number had reduced considerably but this is contrary to the accepted view. He was faced by a much smaller English Army probably numbering less than 30,000.
  
The battle actually took place near the village of [[Branxton, Northumberland|Branxton]], in the [[county]] of [[Northumberland]], rather than at [[Flodden]] — hence the alternative name of '''Battle of Branxton'''.  The Scots had previously been stationed at Flodden, near to Branxton.
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The battle actually took place near the village of Branxton, in the county of Northumberland, rather than at Flodden — hence the alternative name of '''Battle of Branxton'''.  The Scots had previously been stationed at Flodden, near to Branxton.
  
 
== Battle ==
 
== Battle ==
The battle was the climax of days of maneuvering. The English finally managed to cross the [[River Till]], and got behind the Scottish positions. The Scots' [[cannon]] opened fire; but due to poorly-trained artillerymen, cumbersome guns and damp powder, they mostly missed. The more limber, and much better-trained, English [[artillery]]men then returned fire, with deadly accuracy; blowing the Scottish guns and gunners off the field. The English cannons and [[English longbow|longbowmen]] then concentrated a furious fire upon the [[pikemen]] of the Scottish [[schiltron]]s. This took a terrible toll, and caused the Scots to charge down the hill and relinquish the defensive high ground, in order to come to grips with the English.
+
The battle was the climax of days of maneuvering. The English finally managed to cross the River Till, and got behind the Scottish positions. The Scots' cannon opened fire; but due to poorly-trained artillerymen, cumbersome guns and damp powder, they mostly missed. The more limber, and much better-trained, English artillerymen then returned fire, with deadly accuracy; blowing the Scottish guns and gunners off the field. The English cannons and longbowmen then concentrated a furious fire upon the pikemen of the Scottish schiltrons. This took a terrible toll, and caused the Scots to charge down the hill and relinquish the defensive high ground, in order to come to grips with the English.
  
In many ways, Scottish tactics had changed little since [[Battle of Bannockburn|Bannockburn]]. They used the [[schiltron]], a tight formation of long spears better-suited for use against cavalry charges than for infantry melees. Nevertheless, it was a formation almost impossible to penetrate if the Scots could hold it in a steady advance. Unfortunately, they suddenly came across a burn or stream that had been hidden by the lie of the land. In attempting to cross, the schiltron formations began to break down. This was, perhaps, the turning point in the battle. The English infantry rushed forward and penetrated into the Scottish line. The English were mostly armed [[Bill (weapon)|billmen]], using a devastating weapon designed to tear armour and other forms of bodily protection apart.  In the bloody slogging-match that characterised such warfare, the Scots were eventually encircled, and cut to pieces.
+
In many ways, Scottish tactics had changed little since [[Battle of Bannockburn|Bannockburn]]. They used the schiltron, a tight formation of long spears better-suited for use against cavalry charges than for infantry melees. Nevertheless, it was a formation almost impossible to penetrate if the Scots could hold it in a steady advance. Unfortunately, they suddenly came across a burn or stream that had been hidden by the lie of the land. In attempting to cross, the schiltron formations began to break down. This was, perhaps, the turning point in the battle. The English infantry rushed forward and penetrated into the Scottish line. The English were mostly armed billmen, using a devastating weapon designed to tear armour and other forms of bodily protection apart.  In the bloody slogging-match that characterised such warfare, the Scots were eventually encircled, and cut to pieces.
  
 
The king, many of his nobles, and over 10,000 Scottish men were killed. The English losses are estimated at between 1,500 and 4,000.
 
The king, many of his nobles, and over 10,000 Scottish men were killed. The English losses are estimated at between 1,500 and 4,000.
  
 
== Aftermath ==
 
== Aftermath ==
Tactically, this battle was one of the first major engagements on the [[British Isles]] where artillery would play a decisive role, and one of the last decisive uses of English longbowmen.  
+
Tactically, this battle was one of the first major engagements on the British Isles where artillery would play a decisive role, and one of the last decisive uses of English longbowmen.  
  
Many of these archers were recruited from [[Lancashire]] and [[Cheshire]]. Sir Ralph Asseton raised such a company from [[Middleton]], near [[Manchester]]. In gratitude for his safe return, he rebuilt St. Leonard's, the local parish church. It contains the unique "Flodden Window" depicting each of the archers, and the priest who accompanied them, by name in stained glass.
+
Many of these archers were recruited from Lancashire and Cheshire. Sir Ralph Asseton raised such a company from Middleton, near Manchester. In gratitude for his safe return, he rebuilt St. Leonard's, the local parish church. It contains the unique "Flodden Window" depicting each of the archers, and the priest who accompanied them, by name in stained glass.
  
Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Surrey, was [[Lieutenant General]], and was largely responsible for the [[Tudor dynasty|Tudor]] victory for [[Henry VIII of England]]. Howard was subsequently restored to his father's title of "[[Duke of Norfolk]]".
+
Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Surrey, was Lieutenant General, and was largely responsible for the [[Tudor dynasty|Tudor]] victory for [[Henry VIII of England]]. Howard was subsequently restored to his father's title of "Duke of Norfolk".
  
 
Skirmishes over the English-Scottish border had been taking place for centuries; and this was perhaps the longest such "war" on record.  
 
Skirmishes over the English-Scottish border had been taking place for centuries; and this was perhaps the longest such "war" on record.  
  
There was not a noble family in Scotland who did not lose at least someone at Flodden. They and the other dead are remembered by the song (and pipe tune) "The [[Flowers of the Forest]]";
+
There was not a noble family in Scotland who did not lose at least someone at Flodden. They and the other dead are remembered by the song (and pipe tune) "The Flowers of the Forest";
  
 
::We'll hae nae mair lilting, at the yowe-milking,  
 
::We'll hae nae mair lilting, at the yowe-milking,  
Line 36: Line 36:
  
 
==Geography==
 
==Geography==
The field in which the battle was fought and the nearby countryside is an example of a [[drumlin]] swarm, with the drumlins themselves clearly visible from the field's monument.
+
The field in which the battle was fought and the nearby countryside is an example of a drumlin swarm, with the drumlins themselves clearly visible from the field's monument.
 
 
==See also==
 
 
 
*[[The Percy Folio]]
 
*[[Selkirk#O.27_Floddenfield.21|Selkirk Common Riding]]
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Revision as of 00:02, 17 July 2006


Western side of the battlefield, looking south-south-east from the monument erected in 1910. The Scottish army advanced down the ploughed field, the English down the grassy field in the foreground, and they met, presumably at the valley boundary between the two fields.

The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field was fought in the county of Northumberland, in northern England on September 9, 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV of Scotland and an English army commanded by Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. It ended in a bloody defeat for the Scots.

Background

This conflict began when King James declared war on England, to honour the Auld Alliance; namely, to divert Henry VIII's English troops from their campaign against the French king Louis XII. England was involved in a larger conflict; defending Italy and the Pope from the [[France|French], as a member of the "Catholic League" (Italilian states). James of Scotland invaded England with an army of over 60,000 men. A recent book by the Scottish historian Niall Barr suggests that by the time he reached the battlefield this number had reduced considerably but this is contrary to the accepted view. He was faced by a much smaller English Army probably numbering less than 30,000.

The battle actually took place near the village of Branxton, in the county of Northumberland, rather than at Flodden — hence the alternative name of Battle of Branxton. The Scots had previously been stationed at Flodden, near to Branxton.

Battle

The battle was the climax of days of maneuvering. The English finally managed to cross the River Till, and got behind the Scottish positions. The Scots' cannon opened fire; but due to poorly-trained artillerymen, cumbersome guns and damp powder, they mostly missed. The more limber, and much better-trained, English artillerymen then returned fire, with deadly accuracy; blowing the Scottish guns and gunners off the field. The English cannons and longbowmen then concentrated a furious fire upon the pikemen of the Scottish schiltrons. This took a terrible toll, and caused the Scots to charge down the hill and relinquish the defensive high ground, in order to come to grips with the English.

In many ways, Scottish tactics had changed little since Bannockburn. They used the schiltron, a tight formation of long spears better-suited for use against cavalry charges than for infantry melees. Nevertheless, it was a formation almost impossible to penetrate if the Scots could hold it in a steady advance. Unfortunately, they suddenly came across a burn or stream that had been hidden by the lie of the land. In attempting to cross, the schiltron formations began to break down. This was, perhaps, the turning point in the battle. The English infantry rushed forward and penetrated into the Scottish line. The English were mostly armed billmen, using a devastating weapon designed to tear armour and other forms of bodily protection apart. In the bloody slogging-match that characterised such warfare, the Scots were eventually encircled, and cut to pieces.

The king, many of his nobles, and over 10,000 Scottish men were killed. The English losses are estimated at between 1,500 and 4,000.

Aftermath

Tactically, this battle was one of the first major engagements on the British Isles where artillery would play a decisive role, and one of the last decisive uses of English longbowmen.

Many of these archers were recruited from Lancashire and Cheshire. Sir Ralph Asseton raised such a company from Middleton, near Manchester. In gratitude for his safe return, he rebuilt St. Leonard's, the local parish church. It contains the unique "Flodden Window" depicting each of the archers, and the priest who accompanied them, by name in stained glass.

Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Surrey, was Lieutenant General, and was largely responsible for the Tudor victory for Henry VIII of England. Howard was subsequently restored to his father's title of "Duke of Norfolk".

Skirmishes over the English-Scottish border had been taking place for centuries; and this was perhaps the longest such "war" on record.

There was not a noble family in Scotland who did not lose at least someone at Flodden. They and the other dead are remembered by the song (and pipe tune) "The Flowers of the Forest";

We'll hae nae mair lilting, at the yowe-milking,
Women and bairns are dowie and wae.
Sighing and moaning, on ilka green loaning,
The Flowers of the forest are all wede away

Geography

The field in which the battle was fought and the nearby countryside is an example of a drumlin swarm, with the drumlins themselves clearly visible from the field's monument.

External links

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