The Anglo-Scots Wars, 1513-1550

A survey of warfare between England under Henry VIII and Scotland from the death of James IV, identifying its objectives and accounting for its inconclusive nature.

Military activity was central to Anglo-Scots relations in the first half of the sixteenth century, playing an important role in the formation of the multi-national Tudor state and the process of political union. This book examinesboth the organisational nature of the two nations' military establishments and provides a detailed operational study of military activity. It challenges notions that the British Isles were peripheral to the trends of mainstream continental warfare through a detailed study of the manner in which both Scottish and English armies demonstrated a commitment to tactical and technological development. The failure of both nations to come up with effective strategies or conclusive successes is addressed, and contributory causes identified. The major engagements at Flodden (1513), Solway Moss (1542) and Pinkie (1547) are examined; attention is also paid to the everyday routines of militaryactivity: garrison duty, chevauchee and siege work.

Dr GERVASE PHILLIPS teaches in the Department of History and Economic History at the Manchester Metropolitan University.