BattlefieldsHertford's Second Raid — Kelso 1545
Tudor

Hertford's Second Raid — Kelso 1545

1545
Roxburghshire, Scotland
Also known as: Burning of the Borders 1545 · Second Hertford Raid
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Roxburghshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Southern Scotland
Forces
Scottish border defenses.
VS
Victor
England (Hertford)
Forces
Hertford's army c.5,000–10,000
Outcome
Seven abbeys, sixteen castles, five market towns, 243 villages burned
The Battle

History & Significance

Henry VIII ordered Hertford to devastate the Scottish Borders as thoroughly as possible. Kelso, Jedburgh, Dryburgh and Melrose Abbeys were burned. The list of destruction compiled afterwards is extraordinary — a systematic scorched-earth campaign that depopulated much of the Borders. The Rough Wooing left scars visible in the archaeology for generations.

Casualties & Losses

Widespread civilian displacement; monastic communities destroyed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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