On This Day In History: Battle Of Pinkie Was Fought – On September 10, 1547

AncientPages.com - On September 10, 1547, the Battle of Pinkie was fought on the banks of the River Esk.

In this battle, the Scots were defeated by the English, and it was another catastrophic waste of life encouraged by a lack of discipline and weak command.

The Battle at Pinkie Cleugh . Image source

The Battle at Pinkie Cleugh can be regarded as the first "modern" battle on British soil, featuring combined arms, cooperation between infantry, artillery, and cavalry, and, most remarkably, a naval bombardment in support of land forces.

The Duke of Somerset brought his troops, cavalry, and guns to the area, with naval support for his sixteen thousand men having to make their way along the beach.

The Scots, meanwhile, numbering around thirty-six thousand, held the best position behind the river. Still, the lack of military ability of their leader James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, caused the misinterpretation of an English maneuver as their preparing to retreat.

Hamilton brought his men across the river in an all-out attack, losing his advantage, and Somerset's artillery laid in. When Huntly regrouped his men in the chaos, Arran thought they were deserting.

Meanwhile, instead of attacking the enemy, many of the Highlanders were busy robbing the dead's bodies. The efficient army of Somerset slew fifteen thousand Scots and captured fifteen hundred while losing only five hundred of their own.

'Black Saturday' was a disaster for Scotland with so many lives lost, but it was also non-productive for victorious England since it forced Queen Mary further away from Prince Edward to the Dauphin.

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