The Anniversary of the battle

Today is the 477th anniversary of the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, which is where our house is built near (some say on).I have blipped the memorial stone as well as other memorials previously, but I thought I should commemorate the actual day. 
 
This memorial stone commemorates the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, by which the English tried to force Scottish agreement to the future marriage of their two child sovereigns Mary, Queen of Scots and Edward VI.

In September 1547 an English invading army, supported by warships, marched up the east coast of Scotland from Berwick. By 9th September they were encamped near Morrison's Haven. That day there was a cavalry battle (on the hill slopes behind this memorial stone), in which many Scots succumbed to their more heavily armoured opponents.

On the morning of 10th September, the English moved towards Inveresk Church in order to bombard the Scottish camp from the high ground there: but they found the whole Scottish army waiting for them in the fields.

English warships in the Forth opened fire on the Scots, who then began to move away to the south.

The infant Queen Mary was eventually betrothed to the heir to the throne of France.

An English cavalry charge stopped the Scots from reaching higher ground, and for some time they were stuck under fire from English artillery and bowmen, as well as Spanish mercenary mounted hand-gunners. Eventually, the Scots dropped their weapons and fled. The English cavalry chased and killed as many as 10,000 Scottish troops.

The next day, the English army moved on to Leith for a week before returning to England. They left behind garrisons at Haddington and other east coast locations, but by 1551 they were forced to withdraw completely from Scotland.

It was the last pitched battle between the Scots and the English before the union of the crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland became King James I of England following the death of Queen Elizabeth, the last Tudor Monarch. 

It might have taken place many years ago, but it’s important to remember. It’s sad to think that in the world be have not learnt anything, with wars and battles taking place in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan etc.

I hopeyou have had a nice day.