Battle of Flodden Field (Branxton)
Site of the Battle of Flodden Field, Branxton. Photo by Northumberland County Council.
[NT 890370] Site of Battle of Flodden Field or Branxton Moor [NR] 9th September 1513 [T.I.] (1)
The Battle of Flodden Field was fought on September 9th, 1513 between the Scots under James IV and the English under the Earl of Surrey, and resulted in a Scottish defeat. The battle took place on Branxton Moor, in an area between the north side of Branxton Hill and the village. (2)
A modern memorial cross dedicated to both nations has been erected overlooking the site (in 1910 by Berwickshire Naturalists Club). (3)
Additional bibliography. (4)
Description of Battle of Flodden. (5)
Battle of Flodden, 9th September 1513. Very heavy Scottish casualties, about 21% of total attacking force, including King James IV. Metal (English) and stone (Scottish) cannonballs found in the marsh near battle site. (6)
[Detailed description of battle]. (7)
Assessment of likely soil conditions based on 1:10,000 geological survey, national soils map, contour data and vertical aerial photography. Tested by soil sampling at three locations during a metal detecting survey in 2007. The soils at Flodden are characterised by low pH values (average 6.0pH) and poor conditions of metals. Initial results suggest that while extremes of soil pH can be a major factor in lead bullet condition, it may be mechanical damage rather than soil chemistry which is the dominant factor affecting the condition of most other artefacts.
A small area of peat deposits lies at the core of Flodden battlefield. Flodden was a transitional battle in the change from bow to bullet. Composite roundshot form the site measure 576g and are about 49mm diameter. (8)
Registered Battlefield. (9)
The battlefield is now fully enclosed agricultural land, although there are several modern woodland plantations around its edges. This source provides detailed information on the battlefield and battle. (10)
Registered Battlefield. For the designation record of this site please see The National Heritage List for England. (11 a & b)
The site of the Battle of Flodden fought on 9th September 1513 over arable fields close to the village of Branxton. In response to Herny VIII's invasion of France in 1513, the French King Louis XII requested that his ally, King James IV of Scotland, create a diversion by invading England. With Henry away in France, the Earl of Surrey took command of an army of 26,000 men and faced the 35,000-40,000 strong army of of James IV close to the border near the village of Branxton. In the battle that followed, Surrey defeated the Scots. James IV and a large proportion of the Scottish nobility were killed. For more details please refer to the source. (11b)
Additional sources (11c-f)
General association with HER 751 and HER 752. (11)
The Battle of Flodden Field was fought on September 9th, 1513 between the Scots under James IV and the English under the Earl of Surrey, and resulted in a Scottish defeat. The battle took place on Branxton Moor, in an area between the north side of Branxton Hill and the village. (2)
A modern memorial cross dedicated to both nations has been erected overlooking the site (in 1910 by Berwickshire Naturalists Club). (3)
Additional bibliography. (4)
Description of Battle of Flodden. (5)
Battle of Flodden, 9th September 1513. Very heavy Scottish casualties, about 21% of total attacking force, including King James IV. Metal (English) and stone (Scottish) cannonballs found in the marsh near battle site. (6)
[Detailed description of battle]. (7)
Assessment of likely soil conditions based on 1:10,000 geological survey, national soils map, contour data and vertical aerial photography. Tested by soil sampling at three locations during a metal detecting survey in 2007. The soils at Flodden are characterised by low pH values (average 6.0pH) and poor conditions of metals. Initial results suggest that while extremes of soil pH can be a major factor in lead bullet condition, it may be mechanical damage rather than soil chemistry which is the dominant factor affecting the condition of most other artefacts.
A small area of peat deposits lies at the core of Flodden battlefield. Flodden was a transitional battle in the change from bow to bullet. Composite roundshot form the site measure 576g and are about 49mm diameter. (8)
Registered Battlefield. (9)
The battlefield is now fully enclosed agricultural land, although there are several modern woodland plantations around its edges. This source provides detailed information on the battlefield and battle. (10)
Registered Battlefield. For the designation record of this site please see The National Heritage List for England. (11 a & b)
The site of the Battle of Flodden fought on 9th September 1513 over arable fields close to the village of Branxton. In response to Herny VIII's invasion of France in 1513, the French King Louis XII requested that his ally, King James IV of Scotland, create a diversion by invading England. With Henry away in France, the Earl of Surrey took command of an army of 26,000 men and faced the 35,000-40,000 strong army of of James IV close to the border near the village of Branxton. In the battle that followed, Surrey defeated the Scots. James IV and a large proportion of the Scottish nobility were killed. For more details please refer to the source. (11b)
Additional sources (11c-f)
General association with HER 751 and HER 752. (11)
N726
Medieval (1066 to 1540)
UNCERTAIN
UNCERTAIN
EXCAVATION, Horse Close Flodden Field 1818; ANON
EXCAVATION, FLODDEN FIELD 1910; ANON
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1967; E C Waight
WATCHING BRIEF, Cornhill on Tweed to Mardon Farm 2002; AOC ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP
WATCHING BRIEF, LAND AT WELL HOUSE, BRANXTON 2004; Alan Williams Archaeology
METAL DETECTING SURVEY, Flodden (Battlefields Trust) 2007; Battlefields Trust
WATCHING BRIEF, Branxton, Cornhill on Tweed 2008; Archaeological Services Durham University
SYSTEMATIC FIELDWALKING SURVEY, Flodden Hill and Branxton 2015; Flodden 500
METAL DETECTING SURVEY, Flodden Hill and Branxton 2015; Flodden 500
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, Land at Flodden ; Flodden 500 Archaeology
EVALUATION, Flodden Hill
WATCHING BRIEF, Flodden Monument, Piper's Hill
EXCAVATION, FLODDEN FIELD 1910; ANON
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1967; E C Waight
WATCHING BRIEF, Cornhill on Tweed to Mardon Farm 2002; AOC ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP
WATCHING BRIEF, LAND AT WELL HOUSE, BRANXTON 2004; Alan Williams Archaeology
METAL DETECTING SURVEY, Flodden (Battlefields Trust) 2007; Battlefields Trust
WATCHING BRIEF, Branxton, Cornhill on Tweed 2008; Archaeological Services Durham University
SYSTEMATIC FIELDWALKING SURVEY, Flodden Hill and Branxton 2015; Flodden 500
METAL DETECTING SURVEY, Flodden Hill and Branxton 2015; Flodden 500
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, Land at Flodden ; Flodden 500 Archaeology
EVALUATION, Flodden Hill
WATCHING BRIEF, Flodden Monument, Piper's Hill
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.