Scottish troops at Towton? Some more thoughts

The historical sources agree that Queen Margaret was allowed to raise troops in Scotland in 1460/1. These troops marched south with her and fought in the Battle of St Albans in February 1461. It is possible, even probable, that they marched north with her after this battle. But the vast majority of the material I have read on Towton makes no mention of Scottish troops at Towton.

Haigh, in From Wakefiled to Towton, (p 55) talks of “Scottish/Northern mercenaries” who after St Albans turn northward to York (p 57) but he does suggest latter that many of the Lancastrian forces that mustered over the winter of 1460-1 may have possibly dispersed by the Spring (p 66). Any Scottish mercenaries, if they were such, would seem an obvious contenders for this.

Bannockburn - c1440 Scotichronicon

Anyone know any good primary source evidence, either way?

If they were at Towton, there are some follow up questions – who was commanding them, what was their force composition and dress and equipment?

Command? One secondary source claims that George Douglas, Earl of Angus, the Warden of the Border, led the Scottish forces south in early 1461. (Lewis The Wars of the Roses in 100 Facts). However all other references I can find make no mention of Angus actually taking part in any campaign beyond the border regions, partly as part of the periodic English-Scottish raiding.

In terms of what these troops looked like and how they were armed, I’m on even thinner ground. I remember Arlequin’s excellent old blog discussing regional variations of dress and weapons in C15th Britain. Sadly, his that site is now defunct. If I remember correctly, he talked about a prevalence of spear over bill, in Wales and Scotland. Similarly, Scottish forces were renowned for the spear/pike based schillion. 

I’ve struggled to find many contemporary native images of Scottish forces. The Scotichronicon, does contain some useful images. One of Bannockburn (above) suggests slightly more dated armour, for the time of publication, than English forces but another depicting Scota and Goidel Glas' voyage shows armour of a more contemporary and continental European style

Scota and Goidel Glas -Sctichronicon mid C15th

Along with non-native sources these suggest little significant differences between lowland Scottish and English or French forces, bar longer spears and more basic equipment. In addition, some research I did when I was an undergraduate, showed the relative socio-economic differences between the border gentry  and their peers south of the Humber. Looking at wills they had less disposable income and less chattels. Scots troops' armour and arms may have reflected this too. They may have worn woollen bonnets, possibly blue, as by the late 15^th Century, the blue bonnet was being produced, initially in imitation of more expensive felt and fur hats.

The Scottish border region was also know for its archers, much sought after as mercenaries in French armies of the fifteenth century, who become a major element of the French royal guards as the Garde Ecossaise. Given Angus’ holdings on the borders, they and spear-based  forces may be the most obvious forces for Margaret.

 

If they were highland gallowglasses, then the attire and equipment is less of a mystery and far more distinct.

Any thoughts on what a late C15th lowland Scottish force, south of the border would have looked like and how it was equipped would be welcome.

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