The Battle of Darnick, also known as the Battle of Melrose, was a Scottish clan battle fought on 29 July 1526 near Melrose in the Scottish Borders. Its origins lay in a dispute over the custody of the young King James V of Scotland. Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, had secured guardianship of James as part of a rotating arrangement among four members of the Council of Regency, but refused to relinquish his charge to the Earl of Arran when it was Arran's turn. James himself sent word to Sir Walter Scott of Branxholme and Buccleuch requesting a rescue attempt, and Scott assembled a force of as many as 1,000 Border Reivers, leading them down Eildon Hill to intercept the King's party at Melrose.
Angus's force, composed mainly of Kerrs, stood its ground against Scott's attack. Scott's men also held firm initially, but the arrival of a reinforcement of 80 Kerrs under Lord Hume struck the wing of Scott's force afresh. Under this renewed pressure the Scotts and Eliotts began to fall back and flee. During the subsequent pursuit, Andrew Kerr of Cessford was killed by one of the Eliotts. Scott lost around 80 men and the Earl of Angus around 100, yet Angus retained possession of the young King and carried him on to Edinburgh, staying the following night at Darnick Tower. The rescue attempt had failed, and the battle's outcome left James still under Douglas control.
The death of Andrew Kerr, Laird of Cessford, cut down during the pursuit by one of the Eliotts as Scott's forces fled the field, set in motion a deadly feud between the Kerr and Scott families that raged for many years across the Scottish Borders in the aftermath of the battle.
Scott lost approximately 80 men; Angus lost approximately 100 men, including Andrew Kerr of Cessford killed during the pursuit
This battlefield is listed on the Register of Historic Battlefields — a national designation identifying Britain's most significant battle sites for protection and further research. Reference: HES BTL30.
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