The Battle of Flodden was a major military engagement fought on September 9, 1513, between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland. The battle took place near the village of Branxton, in Northumberland, England, close to the Scottish border.

The Battle of Flodden came about as a result of complex political and military factors, including territorial disputes, religious tensions, and the personal ambitions of the monarchs involved. At the time, England and Scotland were engaged in a long-standing rivalry, with frequent border skirmishes and raids.

King Henry VIII of England, who had come to the throne in 1509, was a powerful and ambitious monarch who sought to expand English power and influence both at home and abroad. He saw Scotland as a potential threat to English interests, and he was determined to assert his authority over the northern borderlands.

Meanwhile, King James IV of Scotland was also a skilled and ambitious ruler who sought to strengthen Scotland's position in Europe and assert its independence from English domination. He had formed an alliance with France, which was England's traditional enemy, and he saw himself as a defender of Scottish interests against English aggression.

The immediate cause of the Battle of Flodden was a dispute over the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, which had changed hands between England and Scotland several times over the years. In August 1513, James IV led a Scottish army across the border into England, with the aim of capturing Berwick and other key English strongholds.

The English responded by mobilizing a large army under the command of the Duke of Norfolk, which met the Scottish forces at Flodden, near Branxton Hill in Northumberland. The battle was a fierce and bloody conflict, with heavy casualties on both sides.

Ultimately, the English were able to break through the Scottish lines and inflict a crushing defeat, with King James IV and many of his leading nobles killed in the fighting. The loss of their king was a major blow to Scotland's morale and stability, and it marked the end of the country's ambitions to expand its territory into England.

The English army, led by King Henry VIII's uncle The Duke of Norfolk Thomas Howard who was a prominent English nobleman and military commander who served under several English monarchs, including Henry VIII. He led the English army in the Battle of Flodden consisted of around 26,000 men, while the Scottish army, under the command of King James IV, numbered around 30,000. The Scottish forces were mainly composed of infantry, while the English army had a higher proportion of archers and artillery.

King James IV was the King of Scotland from 1488 until his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. He was a popular and successful monarch who oversaw a period of cultural and economic growth in Scotland. James was known for his love of art and learning, and he was a patron of many artists and writers.

However, despite his reputation as a cultured and enlightened ruler, James IV was also a military leader who was involved in a number of conflicts during his reign. His decision to go to war against England in 1513 was driven by a number of factors, including territorial disputes, religious tensions, and a desire to secure his position as a major power in Europe.

At the time, England and Scotland were engaged in a long-standing rivalry, and there were frequent border skirmishes and raids. In addition, James had formed an alliance with France, which was England's traditional enemy, and he was concerned about the threat posed by English expansionism.

In August 1513, James led a large Scottish army across the border into England, with the aim of invading and capturing key English strongholds. However, his campaign was hampered by poor communication and supply issues, and his army was eventually confronted by a much larger English force led by the Duke of Norfolk.

The Battle of Flodden was a fierce and bloody conflict that lasted for several hours. Despite the initial success of the Scottish defensive position, the English were eventually able to break through their lines, and James IV was killed along with many of his leading nobles. The Scottish army suffered a devastating defeat, and the loss of their king was a major blow to the country's morale and stability.

The battle was a fiercely fought affair, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The Scots, who had taken up a strong defensive position on Branxton Hill, were initially successful in repelling the English attacks. However, the English eventually managed to break through the Scottish lines and, in the ensuing chaos, King James IV was killed along with many of his leading nobles.

The Scottish army suffered a devastating defeat, with estimates suggesting that around 10,000 Scottish soldiers were killed or wounded, compared to around 5,000 English casualties. The battle was a significant blow to Scotland's military and political power, and it marked the end of the country's ambitions to expand its territory into England.

The Battle of Flodden has since become an iconic event in Scottish history, and it is remembered as a tragic and costly defeat for the nation. It has been commemorated in literature and art, and its impact can still be felt in Scottish culture and politics to this day.