THE BATTLE OF
FLODDEN

SEPTEMBER 9, 1513

Honoring his agreement with King Louis XII of France to divert English troops who were required in France to fight for Henry VIII, King James IV of Scotland crossed into England, with the battle of Flodden (Hill) taking place at Branxton, Northumberland (the northernmost county of England, near what is now Berwick and Tweed) on September 9th 1513.

The Scots numbered about 30,000 men supported by artillery, including approximately 5000 French troops, sent to Scotland to assist.  Among these Scottish troops was a contingent of Camerons, led by Ewen MacAllan Cameron, XIII Captain and Chief of Clan Cameron.  Ewen is said to have been in "great favor" with James IV.  Consequently, he loyally supported the King in all his wars (although besides Flodden, it is not know which battles the Camerons specifically fought in).  The Scots were opposed by Henry VIII's lieutenant in the north, Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey.  Howard gathered an English force of about 20,000; some archers and some armed with long staffs that had a blade shaped like a hook at the end.

Though they were outnumbered, the English were better equipped and by nightfall had won a major victory.  Anywhere from 10,000 - 12,000 Scots, including King James IV, were killed.  Included in the casualties were: the son of the Archbishop of St. Andrews, two bishops, ten abbots, twelve Earls, fifteen Lords, fifteen Knights, twenty-five gentlemen heads of families of note and sons and sires of every good family in the land.  Scarcely a Scottish community was spared.  It was a grand battle, marked with bravery and valor on both sides.  Ewen Cameron of Lochiel was fortunate enough to escape with his life, as were a portion of his Cameron troops.