302 BATTLE OF FLODDEN 



where being the abiding mystery of the battle. The engagement 

 soon became general. The contending forces closed in upon 

 each other in locked and deadly embrace, the centre of which 

 must have been somewhere between the Southei-n base of 

 Piper's Hill and the site of the modern vicarage. King 

 James, who would have rendered much greater services to his 

 country had he witlidrawn to a position whence he might have 

 fulfilled some of the functions of a general, chose to fight 

 as a common soldier. Dismounting he seized a spear, and 

 surrounded by his nobles, plunged into the thickest of the 

 fray, where, fighting with the utmost bravery and determin- 

 ation, and encouraging his followers by voice and example, he 

 at length fell pierced with many wounds, never in mortal 

 body to rise again. 



Meantime an event was taking place at the Eastern end 

 of the battlefield which was destined materially to afiect the 

 main issue. Stanley in command of the Lancashire and 

 Cheshire contingent forining the extreme English left, and 

 Lennox and Argyll's Highlanders that of the Scottish light, 

 so far had not joined the melee. At last the English general 

 pressed forward up the ridge with great impetuosity to engage 

 the enemy. The Highlanders of that division were worse 

 provided with defensive armour than any other part of their 

 army, and being unable to withstand the terrific havoc wrought 

 by the Cheshire archers, fled — their gallant leaders having 

 both been killed.*^ From the vantage ground thus gained, 

 Stanley was able to survey the whole field below him. Looking 

 dowxi upon the desperate struggle that was going on in the 

 centre, he instantly took in the situation and availed himself 

 of the opportunity. Wheeling his men about, he descended 

 diagonally down 'upon the Scottish rear and right flank. 



*• The result of the battle was in great measure due to the predom- 

 inance of the English bows-and-arrows. Of the Scottish inferiority in 

 that respect James was evidently aware, as some time before Flodden 

 he caused to be issued a "prohibition of fut-bawis (football) and of 

 gouff (golf) and other sic unprofitable sportis, so that men may pay 

 more attention to archery for the common good and defencement of 

 the realm." The "unprofitable sportis" have nevertheless managed 

 to survive— and rather more ! The story of Stanley's archers' victorious 



