On the 9th of September, 1513, King James IV of Scotland was killed during the Battle of Flodden.
King James IV of Scotland: A Renaissance Monarch
King James IV ascended to the Scottish throne in 1488 following the death of his father, James III, at the Battle of Sauchieburn—a conflict in which James IV had some involvement, leading to a lifelong penance marked by wearing an iron chain around his waist. Despite this troubled beginning, James IV became one of Scotland’s most enlightened and effective monarchs. His reign from 1488 to 1513 was notable for political stability, cultural renaissance, and advancements in education, the arts, and maritime exploration.
A Renaissance king in every sense, James IV was fluent in multiple languages, including Latin, Gaelic, and French, and he was a patron of poets, scholars, and artisans. His reign saw the strengthening of the Scottish navy, the establishment of the University of Aberdeen, and the construction of significant architectural works. James IV also sought to strengthen diplomatic ties, most notably through his marriage to Margaret Tudor, daughter of King Henry VII of England, in 1503. This union was intended to secure peace between Scotland and England—the ‘Treaty of Perpetual Peace’—though history would soon render this optimistic title tragically ironic.
The Road to Flodden
Despite the Treaty of Perpetual Peace, tensions between Scotland and England persisted, often exacerbated by the broader European conflicts of the time. In 1513, these tensions reached a boiling point. King Henry VIII, son of Henry VII, had launched a military campaign against France, part of the wider struggle known as the War of the League of Cambrai. Bound by the Auld Alliance with France—a long-standing mutual defence pact between Scotland and France—James IV felt compelled to support his French allies.
James IV declared war on England in August 1513, mustering a formidable army of around 30,000 men. His forces crossed the River Tweed and advanced into Northumberland, initially achieving success by capturing several English fortresses. However, the English response was swift and decisive. The Earl of Surrey, Thomas Howard, led an English army north to confront the Scots.
The Battle of Flodden
The two armies met near Branxton, Northumberland, on the 9th of September 1513. The battle was characterised by its brutal hand-to-hand combat and the effective use of English artillery and billhooks, which proved devastating against the Scottish pike formations. Despite the Scots holding the high ground initially, the English manoeuvred strategically, exploiting the difficult terrain and boggy ground to their advantage.
King James IV fought valiantly, leading his troops from the front in the chivalric tradition. However, the battle turned into a catastrophic defeat for Scotland. Estimates suggest that around 10,000 Scots were killed, including much of the nobility and many high-ranking officials. Among the fallen was King James IV himself, the last monarch from the British Isles to die in battle.
The Fate of King James IV’s Body
After the battle, James IV’s body was recovered by the English. He was identifiable by his distinctive iron chain of penance. His corpse was taken to Berwick and then to London, where it was embalmed and placed in a lead-lined coffin. Despite being an anointed king, James IV’s body was denied a proper burial due to his excommunication by the Pope for waging war against another Christian monarch.
For years, his remains were left unburied at Sheen Priory in Surrey (later renamed Richmond), a Carthusian monastery near the royal palace. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII in the 1530s, Sheen Priory was destroyed, and James IV’s coffin was reportedly moved—or perhaps abandoned—amid the ruins.
From Royalty to Golf Course
As the centuries passed, the exact location of James IV’s remains became obscured by time and neglect. The area where Sheen Priory once stood underwent significant changes, eventually becoming part of the grounds of what is now Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Course, located within Old Deer Park in Richmond.
In the 19th century, during construction and landscaping work, bones believed to be those of King James IV were reportedly discovered. Anecdotal accounts suggest that these remains were treated with little ceremony, with some even claiming that workers played casual games with the skull, unaware or indifferent to its royal provenance. Despite these accounts, no definitive reburial or memorial was established, and the precise whereabouts of James IV’s remains remain uncertain to this day.
Historical Reflection
The journey of King James IV—from a revered Renaissance monarch to an unburied corpse beneath a golf course—presents a stark reflection on the impermanence of power and glory. His death at Flodden marked the beginning of a difficult regency for Scotland, with his infant son ascending as James V, later to be the father of Mary Queen of Scots. The defeat weakened Scotland politically and militarily, influencing relations with England for generations.
The Battle of Flodden itself remains etched in the national memory of Scotland, commemorated in poems, songs, and historical studies. It symbolises both the heroism and the tragic loss endured by the Scottish people. As for King James IV, his life and untimely demise continue to fascinate historians and the public alike, serving as a poignant reminder of the fragile line between historical grandeur and obscurity.