Battle of Hornshole

The Battle of Hornshole was a skirmish fought in 1514 between youths from Hawick and an English raiding party.[1]

History

After the Battle of Flodden the previous year, around a third of the whole Scottish army had been killed, making the Borders extremely vulnerable.[2] English forces under the command of Lord Dacre were camped at Hornshole, around 2 miles (3.2 km) from Hawick, when a message reached Hawick that it was an English raiding party.[2] Youths from the town gathered weapons and set off to confront them, attacking at night and soundly defeating the raiders.[2][3]

Name

The place name is most likely derived from Heron’s Hole, as there is a deep pool in the River Teviot.[2][3] Other possible meanings are Orm’s Hole, after the same Anglian lord who gave his name to Ormiston, or Orm’s Tun.[3] Also possible, but less likely, is Hornie's Hole, a deep dwelling place for the Devil.[3]

Celebration

During the battle, the pennon carried by the raiders was captured and taken as a trophy by the victors.[4] Today, Hawick's coat of arms bears a pennon inscribed with '1514', the year of the battle.

The story of the Battle of Hornshole plays a central role in Common Riding celebrations in the town of Hawick.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Hornshole Battle Site". discovertheborders.co.uk. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "07 Hornshole". Hawick Callants Club. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "How Hornshole sparked Hawick Common Riding". The Southern Reporter. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  4. ↑ Neil, J. Murray (2013). The Scots Fiddle: Tunes, Tales & Traditions of the North-East & Central Highlands. Neil Wilson Publishing. p. 253. ISBN 9781906476977.
  5. ↑ "Battle of Hornshole re-enacted in Hawick". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
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