Battle of Solway Moss

Battle of Solway Moss

The Battle of Solway Moss took place on the English side of the Anglo-Scottish border in November 1542. King James V had refused to break from the Catholic Church, as urged by his uncle King Henry VIII. The Scottish army that marched against them was poorly led and organised. Many Scots were either captured or drowned in the river.

About Battle of Solway Moss in brief

Summary Battle of Solway MossThe Battle of Solway Moss took place on the English side of the Anglo-Scottish border in November 1542. King James V had refused to break from the Catholic Church, as urged by his uncle King Henry VIII, who then launched a major raid into south-west Scotland. The Scottish army that marched against them was poorly led and organised, and many Scots were either captured or drowned in the river. The battle was uncoordinated and may be described as a rout. News of the defeat is believed to have hastened the early death of James V. James, who was not present at the battle, withdrew to Falkland Palace humiliated and ill with fever. The news that his wife had given birth to a daughter instead of a son further crushed his will to live, and he is reported to have stated that the House of Stewart ‘came with a lass and will go with alass’ He died at Falkland two weeks later at the age of thirty.

Gervase Phillips has estimated that only about seven Englishmen and 20 Scots were killed but 1,200 Scottish prisoners were taken. Prisoners taken to England included Lord Gray, and Stewart of Rosyth. A number of captured Scottish earls, lords, and lairds were released; they sent hostages, called ‘pledges’, into England in their place. E. Chapuys reported that the Scottish prisoners attended Henry’s court on Christmas Day wearing swords and dirks.