BattlefieldsScots crossing of the Tweed — Flodden Campaign 1513
Tudor

Scots crossing of the Tweed — Flodden Campaign 1513

1513
Scottish Borders, Scotland
Also known as: James IV crosses the Tweed 1513 · Opening of Flodden Campaign
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Scottish Borders, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (border garrisons)
Forces
c.30,000 Scots (James IV); James IV killed
VS
Victor
Scotland (James IV)
Forces
c.26,000-34,000 English (Surrey)
Outcome
Scottish army of 30,000–40,000 crossed the Tweed; captured Norham, Etal, and Ford castles before the main battle
The Battle

History & Significance

James IV's invasion opened with rapid successes. Norham Castle, the strongest English fortress in the eastern march, fell after only a few days. Etal and Ford followed. These successes drew Surrey's English army northward for the showdown at Flodden Field on 9 September 1513. The fall of three major castles in days demonstrated both the scale of the Scottish invasion and the inadequacy of English border defences.

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