Battle of Flodden Field
The Battle of Flodden Field was fought on 9 September, in 1513 between an invading Scots force under King James IV and an English army commanded by Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey. It ended in a bloody defeat for the Scots despite outnumbering the English forces.The earl Marischal lost the second eldest of four sons, and one of his four daughters lost her husband. Among the slain also was the head of the Inverurie cadet branch leaving two daughters as his heirs. In years to come the earl’s grandson and successor married one of the Inverurie heiresses creating the vast fortune enjoyed by the 4th, 5th and 6th earls.
We can be fairly certain that the 3rd earl was not present at the battle, and it was the ‘Master of Marishal’s standard that was captured. Master of Marischal is the title of the heir apparent held by Lord Robert, the Marischal’s eldest son, who commanded the clan’s forces performing the role of Royal Lifeguards on that fatal day.
The standard bearer “Black” John Skirving was wounded in the battle, taken prisoner by the English and imprisoned for several years. He hid the flag on his person. Judging from its stains, the historic banner may have served to staunch Black John’s wounds during his imprisonment. The Skirving family presented this historic relic to the Advocates Library in Edinburgh in 1808.
The flage is a “banderole” is six foot in length with three roe deer heads and contains the Latin motto ‘Veritas Vincit’ which translates to ‘Truth Prevails’. The “A” and “T” in the word “Veritas” are curiously combined.
The flag shows signs of having been ripped and later repaired. The possible explanation is that Skirving ripped off the part that attached to the lance.
Customarily this would have been a saltaire (the white and blue Cross of St Andrew and national flag of Scotland) something too dangerous to be carrying on your person when awaiting His Plantagenet Majesty’s pleasure.
The particular line in Latin is from the Book of Ezra and reads “Forte est vinum, Fortorior est rex, Fortiores sun muliere: super omnia veritas vincit”. This means “Wine is strong, the King is Stronger, Women are stronger still:
The Battle of Flodden Field was fought on 9 September, in 1513 between an invading Scots force under King James IV and an English army commanded by Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey. It ended in a bloody defeat for the Scots despite outnumbering the English forces. The earl Marischal lost the second eldest of four sons, and one of his four daughters lost her husband. Among the slain also was the head of the Inverurie cadet branch leaving two daughters as his heirs. In years to come the earl’s grandson and successor married one of the Inverurie heiresses creating the vast fortune enjoyed by the 4th, 5th and 6th earls.
We can be fairly certain that the 3rd earl was not present at the battle, and it was the ‘Master of Marishal’s standard that was captured. Master of Marischal is the title of the heir apparent held by Lord Robert, the Marischal’s eldest son, who commanded the clan’s forces performing the role of Royal Lifeguards on that fatal day.
The standard bearer “Black” John Skirving was wounded in the battle, taken prisoner by the English and imprisoned for several years. He hid the flag on his person. Judging from its stains, the historic banner may have served to staunch Black John’s wounds during his imprisonment. The Skirving family presented this historic relic to the Advocates Library in Edinburgh in 1808.
The flage is a “banderole” is six foot in length with three roe deer heads and contains the Latin motto ‘Veritas Vincit’ which translates to ‘Truth Prevails’. The “A” and “T” in the word “Veritas” are curiously combined.
The flag shows signs of having been ripped and later repaired. The possible explanation is that Skirving ripped off the part that attached to the lance. Customarily this would have been a saltaire (the white and blue Cross of St Andrew and national flag of Scotland) something too dangerous to be carrying on your person when awaiting His Plantagenet Majesty’s pleasure.
The Battle of Flodden Field was fought on 9 September, in 1513 between an invading Scots force under King James IV and an English army commanded by Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey. It ended in a bloody defeat for the Scots despite outnumbering the English forces. The earl Marischal lost the second eldest of four sons, and one of his four daughters lost her husband. Among the slain also was the head of the Inverurie cadet branch leaving two daughters as his heirs. In years to come the earl’s grandson and successor married one of the Inverurie heiresses creating the vast fortune enjoyed by the 4th, 5th and 6th earls.
We can be fairly certain that the 3rd earl was not present at the battle, and it was the ‘Master of Marishal’s standard that was captured. Master of Marischal is the title of the heir apparent held by Lord Robert, the Marischal’s eldest son, who commanded the clan’s forces performing the role of Royal Lifeguards on that fatal day.
The standard bearer “Black” John Skirving was wounded in the battle, taken prisoner by the English and imprisoned for several years. He hid the flag on his person. Judging from its stains, the historic banner may have served to staunch Black John’s wounds during his imprisonment. The Skirving family presented this historic relic to the Advocates Library in Edinburgh in 1808.
The flage is a “banderole” is six foot in length with three roe deer heads and contains the Latin motto ‘Veritas Vincit’ which translates to ‘Truth Prevails’. The “A” and “T” in the word “Veritas” are curiously combined.
The flag shows signs of having been ripped and later repaired. The possible explanation is that Skirving ripped off the part that attached to the lance.
Customarily this would have been a saltaire (the white and blue Cross of St Andrew and national flag of Scotland) something too dangerous to be carrying on your person when awaiting His Plantagenet Majesty’s pleasure.
The particular line in Latin is from the Book of Ezra and reads “Forte est vinum, Fortorior est rex, Fortiores sun muliere: super omnia veritas vincit”. This means “Wine is strong, the King is Stronger, Women are stronger still: