Flodden field

At length the freshening western blast
Aside the shroud of battle cast;
And, first, the ridge of mingled spears
Above the brightening cloud appears;
And in the smoke the pennons flew.
As in the storm the white sea-mew.
Then marked they, dashing broad and far,
The broken billows of the war,
And plumed crests of chieftains brave
Floating like foam upon the wave;
But naught distinct they see:
Wide raged the battle on the plain;
Spears shook, and falchions flashed amain;
Fell England's arrow-flight like rain;*
...
..
.

~~~
Tomorrow marks the quincentennial of this terrible battle when 15,000 English and Scottish soldiers died on the slopes of Branxton hill in Northumberland. We chose to pay our respects and had a fascinating walk around the Battlefield Trail, pausing at the recently opened archaeological dig where it is thought 3000 of the soldiers fell and were buried in mass graves. Dig manager Chris Burgess gave us an interesting tour, explaining the machinations of the battle, the geology of the area, and the finds so far uncovered. Unfortunately, they had failed to discover any graves. Yet.

In a marquee tent back at the hamlet of Branxton, we were entertained by two musicians wearing authentic C16 clothing and playing instruments of the period.

Afterwards ,we headed to Coldstream for some refreshments. Have you ever seen the view of the Tweed from Henderson Park? I thought I was looking at the Dordogne.


*From "Battle of Flodden", Walter Scott