F. The Scottish Centre

From here in the Scottish Centre, the commanders, Errol, Crawford and Montrose saw their Vanguard only when they had engaged in battle. This early success was the signal to move down Branxton Hill and take on the English Centre. This was going to be straightforward; the foes would meet in the valley, and reinforcements would soon arrive from the victorious Scottish Vanguard. The Scots set off, their ranks compact and straight, their confidence high. They march in silence, save for the beat of a single drum.

As the Scots descend the slope the ground conditions worsen; some slip and become an obstacle to those following. Discarded pikes also cause problems. The straight, compact ranks begin to lose their tight formation. Worse is to come. The ground at the base of the slope is soggy marshland. The Scots, now knee deep in cloying mud, struggle to move forward. But the ranks behind on more solid ground still press onward into the crush. Now an arrow storm from the English longbows on the Howard Ridge presses the Scottish Centre into a killing zone. Where is the expected help from the Scottish Vanguard? An attack on their flank would scatter the English. Where are Hume and Huntly?

The Scottish Centre is no longer a cohesive fighting force. Some Scots manage to break through the mud and scramble up the Howard Ridge, but single pikes or small groups are useless, and are discarded; swords now offer poor defence against the eight foot long English billhook.

In the valley below this point many are killed, including the three Scottish commanders Errol, Crawford and Montrose. It is here that the course of the Battle of Flodden changes.

⇒ Continue along the trail to the board ‘The Scottish Battle Line’

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