BattlefieldsFlodden Field — Battle 1513
Tudor

Flodden Field — Battle 1513

1513
Northumberland, England
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland
Forces
Scottish army under James IV — approximately 30,000 to 40,000 men
VS
Victor
England
Forces
English army under Surrey — 26,000 men
Outcome
Decisive English victory; James IV killed; Scottish army destroyed; twelve earls, fourteen lords, and approximately 10,000 soldiers killed; Scotland thrown into political crisis with infant James V on the throne.
The Battle

History & Significance

The Battle of Flodden Field on 9 September 1513 was the greatest English military victory over Scotland and one of the most catastrophic defeats in Scottish history. Surrey's English army manoeuvred around the Scottish position on Flodden Hill and attacked from the north. The Scottish pikemen descended the hill and engaged but the English billmen — fighting with traditional English polearms — proved superior in close combat. James IV was killed fighting in the front rank along with twelve earls, fourteen lords, an archbishop, two bishops, and approximately 10,000 Scottish soldiers. Almost every noble family in Scotland lost a member.

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