BattlefieldsDay of Truce Killing of Sir Robert Kerr 1510
Tudor

Day of Truce Killing of Sir Robert Kerr 1510

1510
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Killing of Kerr at Day of Truce 1510 · Starhead killing 1510
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (Kerr of Cessford)
Forces
Kerr escort c.30-80
VS
Victor
English reivers (Heron faction)
Forces
English reivers c.50-150
Outcome
Scottish Warden Sir Robert Kerr murdered at a Day of Truce by the English Heron brothers; diplomatic crisis between England and Scotland
The Battle

History & Significance

The killing of the Scottish Warden at a Day of Truce — a supposed occasion of formal peace — was a serious diplomatic incident that contributed to the deteriorating relations between Henry VIII and James IV that eventually led to Flodden in 1513. The Heron brothers responsible fled to England and Henry VIII refused to surrender them. James IV cited this grievance in his declaration of war. The incident illustrates how border crime and international diplomacy were inseparably entangled.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Northumberland

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Northumberland