Battle of Hornshole
The Battle of Hornshole was a skirmish fought in 1514 between youths from Hawick and an English raiding party.[1]
Contents
History
After the Battle of Flodden the previous year, around a third of the whole Scottish army had been killed, making the Borders extremely vulnerable.[2] English forces under the command of Lord Dacre were camped at Hornshole, around 2 miles (3.2 km) from Hawick, when a message reached Hawick that it was an English raiding party.[2] Youths from the town gathered weapons and set off to confront them, attacking at night and soundly defeating the raiders.[2][3]
Name
The place name is most likely derived from Heron’s Hole, as there is a deep pool in the River Teviot.[2][3] Other possible meanings are Orm’s Hole, after the same Anglian lord who gave his name to Ormiston, or Orm’s Tun.[3] Also possible, but less likely, is Hornie's Hole, a deep dwelling place for the Devil.[3]
Celebration
During the battle, the pennon carried by the raiders was captured and taken as a trophy by the victors.[4] Today, Hawick's coat of arms bears a pennon inscribed with '1514', the year of the battle.
The story of the Battle of Hornshole plays a central role in Common Riding celebrations in the town of Hawick.[5]
References
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