These green meadows, on the English/Scottish border at Northumberland, look so lush and inviting. A great place for a walk, or maybe a family picnic.

But 500 years ago it was a scene of unimaginable slaughter – in the space of less than 4 hours, 14,000 were slaughtered in the biggest and bloodiest battle of the Borders. For this is Flodden – another name for these Branxton Meadows – and here took place ‘The Batttle of Flodden Field’.

The little village of Branxton, a mile from the battlefield.

It was on the 9th September 1513 during the reign of Henry VIII. England was at war with France, and the French Queen persuaded King James IV of Scotland to invade Northern England, thus assisting the French. Scotland and England had an uneasy relationship, with various battles and skirmishes fought for centuries. Money and arms were sent to the Scottish over a period of months in readiness for the…