Monday, 9 September 2013

Remembering Flodden


Today marks the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden Field, one of Britain's bloodiest battles and the last in which a monarch died on a British battlefield.

This quincentenery has sparked interest and debate both in the wealth of new books on the subject and the variety of events that have taken place across the UK over the last year or so hosted under the umbrella of flodden 500, flodden 1513 and the battlefields trust.

It is intriguing to have a read over some of the original transcripts which relate to the battle, have a look at the entries from letters and papers of September 1513;

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=102696

It is interesting to note aspects such as;


  • the discipline of the scots advance made in silence 'in the manner of the Almayns (Landsknechts)' down the slopes.
  • King James being slain within a 'spears length' of Surrey.
  • the looting of the border horse.
  • the observation that many more would have died had the English been horsed.
  • the scots moving camp under smokescreen prior to the battle. 


Here are a few select articles covering today's commemorations;

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/heritage/clan-chiefs-gather-to-pay-respect-to-flodden-dead-1-3083131

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24020607

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/the-northerner/2013/sep/05/scotland
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13 comments:

  1. Dalauppror9 September 2013 at 23:04

    Thanks for a good blog post, lots of interesting links !

    Best regards Michael

    ReplyDelete
  2. Charles10 September 2013 at 07:26

    An excellent post, thank you. Some useful links, and it’s always good to see the late Rick Scollins’s artwork again. Nearly all the media coverage starts by saying that Flodden is a “forgotten battle” but there have in fact been plenty of good books and articles in recent years. All we need now is a high quality and comprehensive range of 28mm figures to represent both armies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stuart10 September 2013 at 11:09

      We might have a long wait ! I am interested in both armies and could feasibly do the English using my present approach but I think the Scots in a similar vein would generally involve a lot of conversions beyond my ability and time and could end up a bit contrived owing to the general lack of anything suitable.

      Who knows, I might take the dive one day - it seems a natural thing to do eventually but not quite yet. I'm holding out some hope in the meantime.

      Delete
  3. Phyllion10 September 2013 at 11:02

    Interesting links, thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  4. painterman10 September 2013 at 14:10

    Very interesting State Papers reading. Also nice to see Richard Scollins artwork - some similarities to your figure painting style I would suggest?
    I was slightly surprised with the amount of mainstream media coverage of the battle on the day.
    Simon.

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    Replies
    1. Stuart10 September 2013 at 22:47

      Thanks Simon, I do like his work quite a bit, he had a passion for the Anglo scots wars. Me too and glad to see that most items were not 'and finally' pieces.

      Delete
  5. moonshadow12 September 2013 at 11:02

    I had forgotten that Scollins' plate. It was in a Military Modelling "Annual" back in the early 80s. Have to dig my copy out.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous30 August 2014 at 21:53

    Hello everyone

    For the army of Henry VIII or the Scottish in 1513, which figures in 28 mm? Besides Dixon and Reiver Casting?

    Cheers

    Cal

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stuart30 August 2014 at 23:52

      Hi Cal

      You can try Perry and Foundry for the English, as for the scots I'd use Perry and possibly some Claymore castings also

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15 October 2014 at 09:49

      Thank you Stuart ,but somebody tell me alo that Kingmaker Miniatures possessed a Range for that ???

      Cal

      Delete
  7. Stuart15 October 2014 at 10:17

    I don't know if they do, Kingmaker is now owned by Curteys Miniatures and there isn't anything suitable as far as I can see.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous17 October 2014 at 01:04

    Hello Stuart

    thank you but Claymore castings do not respond to emails???

    Cal

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gerald9 September 2015 at 09:34

    Warfare is a fascinating subject. Despite the dubious morality of using violence to achieve personal or political aims. It remains that conflict has been used to do just that throughout recorded history.

    Your article is very well done, a good read.

    ReplyDelete

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