The Battle of Flodden: The Battle - Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum

32. Early uses of 'Flodden' to Refer to the Battle Site

There is a quite widely held view that the use of the placename ‘Flodden’ for the site of the battle between the Scottish and English armies in 1513 did not come about until long after the event.

33. James IV - The Act of Dispensation

On 24th August 1513, just two days after crossing into England, James IV held what was to be his last Council with the assembled nobility and clergy at Twizelhaugh, where what became known as the Act of Dispensation was passed.

34. The Landscape of Branxton-Crookham c. 1513

The Evidence

Historic Maps

The townships of Branxton and Crookham (the latter incorporating Pallinsburn) are relatively well-covered by historic maps, with a number dating back to the mid to late 18th century.

34. The Landscape of Branxton-Crookham c. 1513

35. Fieldwalking

In the autumns of 2014 and 2015 a programme of fieldwalking was undertaken as part of the Flodden 1513 project. The aim of the fieldwalking section of the project was to look for artefacts that may have been associated with the movement of the Scottish and English armies to and from Branxton, where the Battle of Flodden took place in 1513.

36. Fieldwalking and metal detecting

Introduction

Sixty-eight fields were identified for investigation at the start of the project. Eighteen of the fields were subsequently fieldwalked, at least ten of these were also metal-detected. Ten fields were metal-detected only, although in some cases this was by a single detectorist. The first two charts provide a broad guide to the quantity of artefacts recovered, although it should be borne in mind that not only do the size of the fields vary, but also the proportion of each field metal-detected or field-walked.

37. Domino Day

It was a mild October morning when I set off for a day’s fieldwalking at Branxton. What better way to spend a birthday, I thought. Hmmm . . . I imagine there are many who would not agree with me but I was happy to do so.

38. Excavations on the Battlefield

Flodden Field 2012: Test Pits and Trial Trench

In 2012 test pits and a trial trench were excavated on the north-western side of the registered battlefield. This was centred on Field 19, but also extended north into Field 12, and east into Field 15.

39. Piecing Together who was at the Battle

Among the English knights that stood before Branxton Hill and faced the Scots army on the 9th of September 1513 was Sir William Molyneux. He had made the long journey north from distant Lancashire with a “considerable force” to stand alongside his kinsman Sir Edward Stanley at the rear of the English ranks and in command of a company of archers.

39. Piecing Together who was at the Battle

40. William Gascoigne at Flodden

I moved to Berwick-upon-Tweed from Leeds in January 2011 and soon after I read a notice in the Berwick Advertiser about a proposed transcription project around the Battle of Flodden.

41. The Trewe Encounter

The transcription and translation of this document known as “The Trewe Encounter or Battle” is the first printed account of the Battle of Flodden. The undated document in Old English was written after the battle, probably by an Englishman from a verbal account, and closes with the words “Imprinted by me. Richard Faques, Dwelling In Poulys Church Yard”.

42. Berwick and the Battle of Flodden

On 9 September 1513, the ferocious battle, which later became known as the Battle of Flodden, took place near Branxton, a mere twelve miles away from the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Yet we know very little about the part the battle played and its effect on the town, as, unfortunately, there are very few sources to help us.