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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Flodden
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(9 Sept. 1513) Battle between the Scots and English which ended as a disastrous defeat for Scotland. In keeping with the terms of a Scottish alliance with the French, *James IV marched into England in August 1513 after *Henry VIII had invaded France. An English army under the earl of Surrey moved north in response, and the forces met on *Flodden Field, near Branxton, about 20km/12m southwest of Berwick-upon-Tweed. James led about 30,000 men and Surrey some 20,000. Both armies had primitive artillery, but it was the English pikes and arrows which got the better of the Scottish spears. As many as 10,000 Scots were left on the field, including the king himself – a tragedy commemorated in the lament The *Flowers o' the Forest.
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