Alan’s TTIM Stories #31

The bones of the foolish king lie alongside those who obeyed. The pride of Scottish history often elevated by courage and fearlessness without regard to wisdom, produced a legacy of folly outweighing the love of life.

Henry VIII led an army across the channel to enforce English claims to lands in France – when war was an accepted political strategy, positioning adversaries on a European chessboard of blood.

A desperate appeal from the French king urged Scottish King James IV to uphold the Auld Alliance and create a diversion. Raids at the border might diminish the British actions on the continent. The Alliance benefitted from a history of deep hatred with memories of mutual atrocities.

The advance of the Scottish army sent alarms in the English capital. With the absence of the main English army in France, the Earl of Surrey gathered whatever troops possible to meet the Scots. Queen Catherine of Aragon served as regent in the absence of her husband. With special  armor covering her pregnant body, she rode toward the impending battle. English soldiers, dumbfounded at the sight of the battle-ready Queen, took to heart her inspiration speech. 

James kneeled to pray at St. Michaels Kirk seeking divine guidance.  Without notice, an unrecognizable figure in a black robe and hood spoke to the King. “Heartbreak is the only reward for your foolish endeavor. A quest for glory will be your doom. Mothers and children will fill rivers with tears while kingdoms fall into chaos.”   

Shaken by this mysterious encounter, James requested a point of view by the living. Nobles and captain were called to council on August 24, 1513, at Twiselhaugh. Lust for battle clouded the possibility of a shrewd military strategy. Decisions of the day led to the misadventures affecting centuries of world history. James responded with promises to support widows and orphans.

Late afternoon mist over the fields of Flodden concealed the sirens of war calling for conflict.
The bold attack by the Scots in the wet ground was countered by flanking movements of the English. Hand to hand combat surrounded King James. Multiple arrows and swords found a royal target. James IV became the last monarch of Great Britian to die in battle leaving Queen Margaret Tutor and Henry’s sister – a widow. A dark figure in a black robe and hood stood over the body.

Bloody coat of the king arrived at the French battlefield to inspire Henry’s army. It proved to be an unappreciated gesture. Catherine’s contribution of courage and inspiration was disregarded by jealous battlefield success. On September 17^th, Catherine suffered a miscarriage with the fetus she carried near the battle. The loss of a male heir reverberated throughout history and led to her eventual downfall as queen.

Flodden lost what Bannockburn won. The Scottish Kingdom remained unsettled for decades leading to a political breakthrough 90 years later. The lack of a male heir from Elizabeth I led to the coronation of Scottish King James VI to become James I of England and Ireland.

The lessons of futility at Twiselhaugh went unheeded as the dark figure of death appeared on the field of Culloden.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Wikimedia Commons
“The Spanish Princess” Starz Network
  based on the historic novels of Philippa Gregory

Photo credit: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

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