BattlefieldsRaid of the Redeswire 1575
Tudor

Raid of the Redeswire 1575

1575
Roxburghshire, Scotland
Also known as: Redeswire incident 1575 · Truce day fight at Carter Bar 1575
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Roxburghshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Sir John Forster)
Forces
Scottish March Warden party reinforced by Jedburgh reivers
VS
Victor
Scotland (Ker of Cessford)
Forces
English March Warden party
Outcome
Scottish and English March Wardens met for a scheduled truce day that degenerated into a full fight; the English warden was captured
The Battle

History & Significance

The Redeswire incident was a notorious breakdown of Border order. The English and Scottish March Wardens met at Carter Bar for a routine truce-day exchange of prisoners and complaints. When the English warden refused to produce a wanted outlaw, a fight broke out. The Scottish reivers swept off the hill, routed the English and captured Sir John Forster himself. The incident caused a diplomatic crisis between England and Scotland. It was the last significant armed clash between English and Scottish forces before the Union.

Casualties & Losses

Several killed on both sides; Forster captured

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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