On Friday, September 9, 1513, the Battle of Flodden Hill was fought by English and Scottish armies in Northumberland, the northernmost county of England, near what is now Berwick and Tweed.

Scotland's King James IV had agreed to create a diversion for Louis XII of France who was at war with England's King Henry VIII. France sent 5000 troops to Scotland to assist.

It was a grand battle, marked with bravery and velour on both sides. The Scots lost. But even to this day, the songs and traditions of Scotland recall that terrible contest unsullied by disgrace, even though it terminated in disaster and defeat.

Killed at Flodden Hill were King James [V; the son of the Archbishop of St. Andrews; two bishops; ten abbotts; twelve Earls; fifteen Lords; fifteen Knights; twenty-five gentlemen heads of families of note; and sons and sires of every good family in the land. Scarcely a Scottish community was spared. More than 12,000 Scots were lost in battle and many family lines ended. The English did not capitalize on their victory. Severely battered, they withdrew.

A poem describing the event was written by Jane Elliott, witness to the battle's aftermath. The first verse is as follows:

I've heard them lilting at the ewe-milking,

lassies a'lilting before dawn of day;

But no they're a-moaning on ilka green loaning*

The Flowers of the Forest are a'wede** away.

* = [every green path to pasture]

** = [all withered]

Thus it persists that when Scots conduct a memorial, the honored dead are often remembered as the Flowers of the Forest.

--Paul Allen

(from a church service program at Salado)