The Battle of Melrose was a Scottish clan battle that took place on 25 July 1526.[1] Walter Scott of Branxholme and Buccleuch attempted to rescue the young James V of Scotland from the powerful Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus.[1][3]
Guardianship of the young James V of Scotland had been secured by Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus in what was supposed to be a three monthly arrangement whereby each of the four members of the Council of Regency would care for James.[2] However, Douglas refused to hand James over to the Earl of Arran whose turn it was next.[2] James sent a message out to Sir Walter Scott asking him to launch a rescue attempt.[2] The young King James, while being escorted on a journey to Edinburgh by Douglas was intercepted by a large body of Border Reivers led by Sir Walter Scott at Melrose.[3][2]
Angus's force mainly consisted of Kerrs and stood its ground, managing to drive off the attackers.[2] Scott led as many as 1000 men down Eildon Hill at Melrose.[2] Angus’s men charged and Scott’s men stood their ground also.[2] However, the Lord Hume arrived with a reinforcement of 80 Kerrs to support Angus, they attacked the wing of Scott's force afresh,[3] and the Scotts and Eliotts began to fall back and run.[3][2] During the pursuit Andrew Kerr of Cessford was killed by one of the Eliotts.[3][2] Scott lost about 80 of his men while the Earl of Angus lost about 100,[1] but still won the battle.[2]
The young King James stayed at Darnick Tower on the night following the battle and proceeded to Edinburgh the next day.[3] In the aftermath of the Battle of Melrose a deadly feud raged for many years in the Scottish Borders between the Kerrs and Scotts due to the death of Andrew Kerr, Laird of Cessford at the battle.[3][2][1] On 4 September 1526 the Battle of Linlithgow Bridge took place where once again anti-Douglas forces attempted to rescue the young King James from the Earl of Angus.[2]