| Raid of the Redeswire | |||||||
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| Part of Anglo-Scottish Wars | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Kingdom of Scotland | Kingdom of England | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sir John Carmichael | Sir John Forster (POW) | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown, but comparatively light | Unknown, but comparatively high | ||||||
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The Raid of the Redeswire was a border skirmish between England and Scotland on July 7, 1575 which took place at the Cheviot pass which enters Redesdale, between the English Warden of the Middle Marches; Sir John Forster, Sir George Heron, Keeper of Redesdale and the Keeper of Liddesdale as well as the Scottish Warden; Sir John Carmichael with George Douglas of Bonjedworth. It was the last major battle between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland.
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After the Scottish defeat at Pinkie, no Anglo-Scottish battle had occurred until this. Sir John Carmichael assembled a small band of pikemen and gunmen in Liddesdale. He was preparing to meet with Sir John Forster in Carter Bar for truce, being the Lord Warden of the Marches. Sir John Forster gathered an army as well. Forster was known for double-dealing, and Carmichael knew it could turn into a battle.
The Scots met with the English under Forster, and it started with insults from both sides. The truce was not going so well, and in time it turned into a battle. It started with cannon and bow shots from the English. The English were getting the better of the infantry match. But a timely arrival of Scottish reinforcements from Jedburgh gave the Scots an advantage. They began to break the English lines. In time, the English were routed. The Scots proved victorious, and drove the English off. Forster was captured, and George Heron, along with his brother; John Heron, and many other notable English Nobles were killed. The English prisoners, however, were treated humanely and then released.
The story of the skirmish was turned into a Border ballad. As well, on Cheviot Hills, near the place were the battle was fought a monument was made in memory of the battle. It read "On this ridge, June 7th, 1575 was fought, one of the last border raids, known as The Raid of the Redeswire". This is why it is known as such, even though it wasn't really a raid and did not take place in the Redeswire. This battle is known to very few. Many believe that Pinkie was the last Anglo-Scottish battle, which was won by the English.