Battlefields›James IV's advance from Flodden Edge — initial Scottish deployment
Tudor

James IV's advance from Flodden Edge — initial Scottish deployment

1513
Scottish Borders, Scotland
Also known as: Scottish deployment Flodden 1513
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Scottish Borders, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
c.30,000 Scots (James IV); James IV killed
VS
Victor
Inconclusive
Forces
c.26,000-34,000 English (Surrey)
Outcome
Scottish army occupied Flodden Edge; initial artillery duel with English forces; James IV made fateful decision to advance down from the ridge
The Battle

History & Significance

James IV's decision to abandon his strong defensive position on Flodden Edge and descend to fight in the boggy valley below remains one of history's great tactical blunders. Contemporary accounts suggest he may have been driven by chivalric notions of fighting on equal terms

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near James IV's advance from Flodden Edge — initial Scottish deployment

Bronze Age field system on Fredden Hill
Scheduled monument · ~4.7 miles
Bronze Age round house on Fredden Hill 880m south west of Bell's Valley
Scheduled monument · ~4.9 miles
Two Roman period native settlements and associated field system on Coldberry Hill
Scheduled monument · ~4.9 miles
Prehistoric field system, cairnfield, round cairns and enclosed cremation cemetery on east slopes of Fredden Hill, 750m west of Wooler Common
Scheduled monument · ~5.2 miles
The Kettles univallate hillfort and enclosed settlement, 261m north west and 331m south west of King's Chair
Scheduled monument · ~5.3 miles
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Skirmish at Welshpool during Henry Tudor March 1485
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