Description
Book SynopsisThe 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.
Table of ContentsList of Figures and Tables Acknowledgements Copyright and Abbreviations 1 Introduction Slaughter near Musselburgh Modern understandings of Pinkie Purpose of this book 2 Causes of conflict in 1547 Warning of war Dynastic ambitions Religious conflict Attack on Langholm Objectives in September 1547 3 The English forces The commanders Cavalry Infantry Artillery Naval forces Logistics and supply 4 Scotland’s military capability The host Wappenshaws The mobilisation The Scottish commanders The structure of the army Scottish battlefield successes 5 Early sources for the battle – a review Official documentation Diplomatic reports English descriptions of the battle Scottish descriptions of the battle 6 Pinkie Battlefield – Topography and Archaeology What’s in a name? Topographical overview Lordships and lands Settlements Communications Land use On manoeuvres, September 1547 The Archaeology of the Battle of Pinkie 7 A New interpretation of the battle The English advance into Scotland Scottish preparations Thursday 8 and Friday 9 September Saturday 10 September 8 Pinkie First and Last After Pinkie – the English policy After Pinkie – the Scottish response Pinkie and military change in Early Modern Britain Pinkie – future directions Bibliography Index
