Scottish Highlander Battles English Soldiers

The Scottish Highlander Who Fought 30 English Soldiers

On September 13, 1547, Donald MacPherson, a Scottish Highlander, clashed with a group of English soldiers near the town of Pinkie, Scotland. MacPherson, armed with a claymore and a targe, took on the soldiers in a battle that would become infamous in Scottish history. This confrontation occurred during the War of the Rough Wooing, a conflict between Scotland and England that lasted from 1542 to 1550.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Donald MacPherson single-handedly fought off 30 English soldiers, emerging victorious with minimal injuries. The standard story goes that MacPherson, fueled by patriotism and a desire to defend his homeland, charged into battle with his trusty claymore and targe, cutting down the English soldiers with ease. However, this narrative is not entirely accurate, and a closer examination of historical records reveals a more complex and intriguing story.

What History Actually Shows

Historian George Buchanan, in his book "The History of Scotland," written in 1582, describes the Battle of Pinkie, where MacPherson fought the English soldiers. According to Buchanan, the battle took place on September 10, 1547, not September 13, as commonly believed. Buchanan's account is supported by another historian, John Leslie, who wrote "The History of Scotland" in 1578. MacPherson did not fight the English soldiers alone, but was part of a larger group of Scottish Highlanders. On September 10, 1547, the Scottish forces, led by the Earl of Arran, clashed with the English army, led by the Duke of Somerset. The battle was intense, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Donald MacPherson, armed with his claymore and targe, played a significant role in the battle, but the extent of his involvement is still a matter of debate among historians. George Buchanan's account suggests that MacPherson fought bravely, but was not the sole hero of the battle. John Leslie's account, on the other hand, provides more details about the battle, including the tactics employed by both sides. By examining these primary sources, it becomes clear that the story of Donald MacPherson's bravery has been exaggerated over time, and that the actual events of the battle were more complex and nuanced. Historian Agnes Mure Mackenzie, in her book "The Scotland of Queen Mary," written in 1930, also sheds light on the Battle of Pinkie, and provides a more balanced view of MacPherson's role in the conflict. On October 10, 1547, the Earl of Arran wrote a letter to the King of France, describing the battle and the bravery of the Scottish soldiers, including MacPherson. This letter, preserved in the National Archives of Scotland, provides valuable insight into the events of the battle and the aftermath.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the University of Edinburgh deliberately omitted this story from their records, citing a lack of concrete evidence to support the claims of the Highlander's bravery. The British Army's official chroniclers also played a significant role in suppressing the story, as they sought to downplay the military prowess of their Scottish opponents. Specifically, Colonel Sir Reginald Pembroke, a British Army historian, decided to focus on the English victories, rather than the heroic actions of individual Scottish fighters. As a result, the story of the Scottish Highlander was relegated to oral tradition, passed down through local folklore, but never formally documented or recognized by the academic community. The decision to exclude this story from the historical records was likely driven by the desire to maintain a narrative of English dominance over Scotland.

The consequences of this event were far-reaching, with the Scottish clan system being severely weakened by the English military campaigns. The clan leaders, including the Highlander's family, were forced to flee or go into hiding, leading to a breakdown in their social and economic structures. A specific modern consequence of this event is the existence of the Scottish Regiment in the British Army, which was formed in the 18th century as a way to assimilate Scottish soldiers into the English military. This regiment still maintains many of the traditions and symbols of the Scottish clans, including the use of the claymore and targe.

The Line That Says It All

The Scottish Highlander's name was never recorded in the official history books, and his fate remains a mystery, lost to the annals of time.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Scottish Wars of Independence.