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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Tewkesbury 2018 - Let them eat cake

Here we go again, hopefully with a bigger retinue this year – including Uncle Napoleon and some more actual relatives, and looking forward to seeing Stuart M too.

As we are feeding a few more this time, we have made some medieval treats – medieval recipe for bread with ale and honey, and gingerbread – more akin to a treacle tart with a breadcrumb and honey base. Now please could someone set up a period foodstall at the event.

Scottish mercanaries - WIP

 Here is my first venture into proper conversions and using Green Stuff - some Highland heavy infantry and mixed missile troops, with the latter in skirmishing/advancing poses.

I wanted to make some Scottish mercenaries to represent the men Margaret was allowed by King James III to raise in 1460 and who marched south to and the north again after St Albans. One secondary source claims that they were present at Towton.

I had been planning to make lowland Scots but my reading suggested that they wouldn't look that different to English forces, give or take some slightly more dated fashion and equipment and possibly bonnets, which were definitely worn by lowlanders by the early C16th. But I took a slight leap and decided to make something more distinct - Highland Gallowglasses and archers. I also may use them for a potential side project - Flodden - if I ever find the time to get beyond the research.

In terms of sources, I drew on  plate  and the images of highland gravestones in Osprey's MAA Scottish Renaissance Armies, and cribbed ideas from Stoke Field's excellent Irish troop conversions and Antediluvian's Scottish and Irish range. I wish the excellent references and debate started by Simon Chick on LAF had been available at the time too. I may draw on these when I come to paint my figures.

They are a mix of Perry's French and English HYW, Ansar-e and WoR MAAs, plus some Essex, and the piper is half Perry/half Warlord Scottish Coventor. And I enjoyed playing with the GS; although found the mail a difficult process. It also felt odd to sculpt the overly long aketons.I started the conversions as Claymore/Antidiluvian's range  disappeared whilst they moved company. But once I had bought all of the extra spruces, Perrys launched their own Irish WoRs range, though I think Antidiluvians have the edge on these, and I'm content with my take.

This was as far as I got before a hand injury. I've been out of action for 8 weeks but now the plaster is off and I hope to start painting these soon and starting some core Lancastarian forces.

Margaret of Anjou

Not been very active even by my lethargic record due to a hand injury, but enjoyed listening to this week's In Our Time on Margaret of Anjou on Radio 4.

A balanced discussion which showed her as a protector of her family interests. And the first contemporary WoRs joke I've heard - on Edward IV's reign.