Sir Nicholas Appleyard - The Battle of Flodden

Nicholas was born in 1473, son of Sir John Appleyard and Margaret Bracken who had married in 1466, residing in Bracken Hall, not far out of Norwich In Norfolk.  As the son a man of title and coming from a line of titles, Nicholas would have lived comfortably in comparison to many of the time. 

Members of their family had held various offices including Mayor of Norwich and had represented Norwich in Parliament and they were associated with various Kings of England including Richard II and Henry IV.

England and Scotland’s history of fighting each other over borders and religion date back over 1,000 years with one of the earliest known battles dating back to 937ad with the Battle of Brunanburh.  With Appleyard’s in the royal courts from the 1100’s, it can be assumed that they, along with their tenants, would have played a role in many of those battles.

In September 1513, England and Scotland would come together in the biggest battle of their history, the Battle of Flodden.

Scotland and France were allies and, when Henry VIII declared war on France and sent soldiers to invade the country, James IV declared war on England, invading England and diverting Henry’s attention across his two enemies.  Making Christmas dinners even more awkward, James IV was married to Henry VIII’s sister Margaret. 

Catherine of Aragon was acting as Regent of England at the time with Henry in France.  Issuing warrants for the property of all Scotsmen in England to be seized in response to James’ declaration of his intent to invade, Catherine soon ordered an army to be raised.

It is during this time that Nicholas would have been ordered to gather his tenants and join the army under the Earl of Surrey, meeting James IV and his army near Branxton in Northumberland.

Unlike today’s battles, there would be no surprise attacks.  In fact, James IV had written to Henry VI a month prior letting him know of his intent to invade, as was expected as part of the chivalry of war.

He had used this time to collect some cannons from Edinburgh and take over castles as he travelled to Northumberland in Northern England.  At the same time, the Earl built his armies and travelled north.

The battle, over a month in planning began on September 9, 1513, between 12noon and 3pm as agreed.  The English army had around 26,000 men while the Scots had 30,000 to 40,000. Tactically, the Scots positioned themselves in a single group format apparently expecting to attack the English head on however, the English had formed a plan of attack, which would see them launch against the Scots on all sides and give them the ability to regroup when the Scots did launch.

In addition, the armoury of the English was more suitable to the ground battles fought and with the Scots using equipment they hadn’t fought with before and on unfamiliar boggy ground, the English had the upper hand.

By the end of the battle, over 10,000 Scots would be dead including many of the Clan Chieftains and the Scottish King, James IV.  Such was the devastation on the country that James would be the last of the Royal leaders to ever fight in a battle.

Up to 2,000 Englishmen would also die including Nicholas Appleyard, the father of six and husband of Agnes. 

Following the battle, Nicholas would be one of 45 soldiers knighted for their valour on the field.  His tenancies at Bracken Ash would be passed down to nephews and his daughter Alice would go on to forge her own place in English history with her husband Robert leading the Kett rebellion.

Image:  The standards and Arms for Master Nicholas Appleyard (knighted at the Battle of Flodden on September 9, 1513)  The standard bears the Cross of St George next to the hoist, with the fly bearing Crests and Badges.

Image courtesty of www.college-of-arms.gov.uk

Sir Nicholas Appleyard

Born:  1473, Bracken Ash Norfolk, England

Died: Sept 9, 1513, Battle of Flodden, Branxton, Northumberland, England

Link to Peter Appleyard:  Great Uncle, 11 x removed