Details
The Battle of Pinkie, fought between the English and the Scots in 1547, was the last great clash between the two as independent nations. It is a well-documented battle with several eyewitness accounts and contemporary illustrations. There is also archaeological evidence of military activities. The manoeuvres of the two armies can be placed in the landscape near Edinburgh, despite considerable developments since the 16th century. Nevertheless, the battle and its significance has not been well understood.
From a military point of view there is much of interest. The commanders were experienced and had already had battlefield successes. There was an awareness on both sides of contemporary best practice and use of up-to-date weapons and equipment. The Scots and the English armies, however, were markedly different in their composition and in the strategy and tactics they employed. There is the added ingredient that the fire from English ships, positioned just off the coast, helped decide the course of events.
Using contemporary records and archaeological evidence, David Caldwell, Victoria Oleksy, and Bess Rhodes reconsider the events of September 1547. They explore the location of the fighting, the varied forces involved, the aims of the commanders, and the close-run nature of the battle. Pinkie resulted in a resounding victory for the English, but that was by no means an inevitable outcome. After Pinkie it briefly seemed as if the future of Britain had been redefined. The reality proved rather different, and the battle has largely slipped from popular consciousness. This book provides a reminder of the uncertainty and high stakes both Scots and English faced in the autumn of 1547.
From a military point of view there is much of interest. The commanders were experienced and had already had battlefield successes. There was an awareness on both sides of contemporary best practice and use of up-to-date weapons and equipment. The Scots and the English armies, however, were markedly different in their composition and in the strategy and tactics they employed. There is the added ingredient that the fire from English ships, positioned just off the coast, helped decide the course of events.
Using contemporary records and archaeological evidence, David Caldwell, Victoria Oleksy, and Bess Rhodes reconsider the events of September 1547. They explore the location of the fighting, the varied forces involved, the aims of the commanders, and the close-run nature of the battle. Pinkie resulted in a resounding victory for the English, but that was by no means an inevitable outcome. After Pinkie it briefly seemed as if the future of Britain had been redefined. The reality proved rather different, and the battle has largely slipped from popular consciousness. This book provides a reminder of the uncertainty and high stakes both Scots and English faced in the autumn of 1547.
Table of Contents
List of Figures and Tables
Acknowledgements
Copyright and Abbreviations
1 Introduction
Slaughter near MusselburghModern understandings of PinkiePurpose of this book
2 Causes of conflict in 1547
Warning of warDynastic ambitionsReligious conflictAttack on LangholmObjectives in September 1547
3 The English forces
The commandersCavalryInfantryArtilleryNaval forcesLogistics and supply
4 Scotland’s military capability
The hostWappenshawsThe mobilisationThe Scottish commandersThe structure of the armyScottish battlefield successes
5 Early sources for the battle – a review
Official documentationDiplomatic reportsEnglish descriptions of the battleScottish descriptions of the battle
6 Pinkie Battlefield – Topography and Archaeology
What’s in a name?Topographical overviewLordships and landsSettlementsCommunicationsLand useOn manoeuvres, September 1547The Archaeology of the Battle of Pinkie
7 A New interpretation of the battle
The English advance into ScotlandScottish preparationsThursday 8 and Friday 9 SeptemberSaturday 10 September
8 Pinkie First and Last
After Pinkie – the English policyAfter Pinkie – the Scottish responsePinkie and military change in Early Modern BritainPinkie – future directions
Bibliography
Index
