300 BATTLfc OF FLODD-EN 



conceal his movements from his opponents, into whose faces 

 the rain was blowing. By-and-by, when the atmosphere 

 had cleared, the English saw their enemies not much above 

 a quarter-of-a-mile distant, ranged in front of them along the 

 Northern slopes of Branxton Hill in five great plumps, or 

 divisions, the King's being in the centre. 



Before considering the leading features of the fierce encounter 

 it would be useful to recall the numbers on either side, and 

 the nature of the weapons with which they fought. As 

 regards numbers, there was scarcely a doubt that the English 

 strength was about 26,000 ; but estimates of the Scottish 

 varied so considerably that it was impossible to speak with 

 anything like precision. It was certain, however, that James's 

 original alleged 100,000, many of whom must have been mere 

 camp-followers, began to melt away shortly after crossing the 

 Tweed, and steadily continued to do so ; so that his camp at 

 Flodden on the morning of September 9th did not contain, 

 probably, more than about 35,000 — but those, be it remembered, 

 the flower of the army. Moreover the fact ought not to be 

 lost sight of that by the disappearance of Home and Huntly's 

 division of 8,000 to 10,000 shortly after the beginning of the 

 battle (which would be noticed later on) the numbers on each 

 side would have been about equalized. As regards weapons : — 

 "The Scots' chief arms were a keen and sharp spear, 15 feet 

 long, and a target before them, and when the spears failed, 

 they fought with great and sharp swords." They were well 

 equipped with defensive armour, except, apparently, the High- 

 landers. The English were armed with bows-and-arrows and 

 bills, the former, especially in the hands of the Cheshire men, 

 proving such an important element in the engagement. Bills — 

 half hatchet, half sword — were wielded at close quarters with 

 terrific effect. It miglit be noted that Flodden was the last 

 battle where the famous old English yew-tree bows and cloth- 

 yard shafts were employed. Afterwards firearms came to 

 the front. 



It would be impossible, in the compass oi such a lecture, 

 to ^'enture upon a descrijjtion of the details of that celebrated 

 battle, which, be it remarked, ought properly to have been 

 called the battle of Branxton, as it was fought there, not 



