historical events
Battle of Flodden Field
If you check out the family trees, you'll notice quite a few deaths in 1513, September 9, 1513 to be precise, or shortly thereafter. That's because these characters were supposed to be killed at the Battle of Flodden Field, or actually the Battle of Branxton Moor, which is where the fighting actually took place, but that's another story. Good thing Edward whisked Robert away in June of that year, at any rate.
Photograph by Andrew Curtis
CC BY - SA 2.0
What was the battle about? Good question. In an attempt to honor the Auld Alliance, James IV requested that Henry VIII cease and desist his attack against France. However, as Henry was siding with Italy and the Pope in the matter, he refused in no uncertain terms. Seeing no other alternative, James IV invaded England In an attempt to distract Henry from his hostilities with the French, but instead of returning to England, Henry sent the Earl of Surrey, Thomas Howard, to lead the army in his stead.
Photograph by Andrew Curtis
CC BY - SA 2.0
Foolishly surrendering their advantageous position on the high ground, the Scots went forth to meet the English, fighting in the old medieval style with the nobility leading the way. The English fought in the newer Renaissance style with the generals directing the battle from the rear. The English also used the shorter bill, which was much more maneuverable on the terrain than the pikes the Scots were using.
Drawing From British Battles on Land and Sea
By James Grant - Public Domain
Though the number of dead varies from one version of the battle to the next, the Scottish casualties greatly outnumbered the English, including James IV himself, who was felled by an arrow and a bill. It is said that few Scottish families survived without losing someone in what is called the last true Medieval Battle fought on English soil.
The monument was erected in 1910 to the
dead of both nations.
Photograph by Philip Halling
CC BY - SA 2.0
The Capture of Johnnie of Gilnockie
Tired of the unrest on the Borders and the risk it presented to keeping the peace with England, King James decided to put a stop to the lawlessness himself. In 1530, he headed toward Eskdale, with the intention of making an example of some of the more notorious reivers. Promising safe conduct, he invited the infamous John Armstrong, known as Johnnie of Gilnockie, to meet with him in Carlinrig.
Painting - Johnnie Armstrong Leaving
by Henry Hetherington Emmerson 1886
at Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle
Johnny soon realized it was a trick and offered the King half of the blackmail money he received from the English side of the Border, but James refused, going back on his word and promptly hanging Johnnie and fifty of his men without any trial.Before he died, Johnnie got in the last word, supposedly saying, "I am but a fool to seek grace from a graceless face.
Photograph of where Johnnie Armstrong was hanged and buied in a pit along with his men.
by James Denham - CC BY - SA 2.0
Now, Johnnie may have been one of the worse rogues even seen on either side of the border, but James forgot one important thiing. Whihle they may fight and kill each other on a daily basis, they will always stand together against an outsider, in this case, the king. d kill each other, border folk band together against an outsider, in this case James.
Photograph of stone marking the actual gravesite of Johnnie and his men taken by Walter Baxter - CC BY - SA 2.0
To make matters worse, James awarded Johnnie's lands to Robert Maxwell - yep, the warden - something the Armstrongs never did forgive Maxwell for, even if others did. The reivers got their real revenge twelve years later though at the Battle of Solway Moss. You might say they could hold a grudge.
Photograph of Memorial erected in Teviot Churchyard in 1897
Photo taken by Walter Baxter - CC BY - SA 2.0
Pilgrimage of Grace
I don't really get into this too much, since it occured before Thunder on the Moor takes place, but I think it is worthy of note as it had a direct effect on the state of affairs in 1538. The Pilgrimage of Grace began in 1536 and was one of the most serioius uprisings during the Tudor period. In summary, it was a popular revolt that started in Lincolnshire and spread north to the Borders, including Hexham, where a number of monks, resideing at Hexham Abbey, were executed.
Though underlying economic causes contributed to the uprising, the immediate catalyst was the King's split from the Roman Catholic Church and his subsequent dissolution of the monasteries. Much of the property belonging to these monastaries were given to those loyal to the crown. The Keeper of Tynedale, Reynold Carnaby lived in one of Hexham Abbey's building, which in the twentieth century became known as the Carnaby Building.
Hexham Gaol Break of 1538
In August of 1538, the Charltons and their allies broke into the Hexham gaol and released a Catholic priest by the name of Robert More, as well as Gerry Charlton, Clem Armstrong, and two Dodds. Henry VIII was supposedly furious by the escape of the priest and summoned the gaol staff, as well as members of certain Border surnames, to account for their activilties that night. This however, was apparently, just the latest in a long line of gaol breaks from the Hexham Gaol.
Photo from Hexham Old Gaol and Moot Hall Facebook Page
Battle of Solway Firth
When Henry broke with the Catholic Church, he wanted his nephew, James V of Scotland to do the same, but he refused and snubbed Henry, angry at the slight, Henry attacked Scotland. James replied in kind, but his army was in disarray, stemming from a number of decisions on his part that angered the border reivers. The Armstrongs for instance had a long memory and had never forgiven him for his treachery in the hanging of Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie. (See abover for incident)
Photo from Reivers website
Painting of The Battle of Solway Moss, by
Rick Scollins, c. 1986
In addition, while a borderer, Robert Maxwell, Warden of the Scottish West March was to lead the attack, James decided one of his men, Oliver Sinclair of Pitcairn would lead instead. This angered the border nobles, and rather than fight for a king they had no use for, they left the field before the battle ever began. As a result, it was a complete rout by the English, and James died two weeks later, either from humiliation or more likely from syphlis. Though it is recorded that only 11 Scotsman and 7 Englishman were killed in battle, another 1200 were captured, and hundreds of Scotsman were killed in their retreat back across the Esk to Scotland.
Photo from Reivers website
Painting of The Battle of Solway Moss, by
Rick Scollins, c. 1986