BattlefieldsRaid of Cessford — Ker vs Scott escalation 1552
Tudor

Raid of Cessford — Ker vs Scott escalation 1552

1552
Roxburghshire, Scotland
Also known as: Murder of Scott of Buccleuch 1552 · Ker assassination of Buccleuch 1552
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Roxburghshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scott of Buccleuch
Forces
Buccleuch retinue
VS
Victor
Ker clan
Forces
Ker assassins
Outcome
Walter Scott of Buccleuch was murdered on the High Street of Edinburgh by members of the Ker clan, continuing the feud begun at Melrose in 1526
The Battle

History & Significance

The Scott-Ker feud was one of the bloodiest private wars in the Borders. After Buccleuch's humiliation at Melrose in 1526, the feud festered for a generation. In 1552, members of the Ker clan murdered Buccleuch on Edinburgh's High Street in broad daylight. The murder shocked even by Border standards. Queen Mary's regent imposed punitive fines and banishments. The feud continued for decades, illustrating how Border clan warfare penetrated even into Scotland's capital.

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