Solway Moss, battle of

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Solway Moss, battle of, 1542. When war broke out in August 1542 between Henry VIII and his nephew James V of Scotland, an English raid was defeated at Hadden Rig. James then assembled a large army for a counter-stroke towards Carlisle. But he remained at Caerlaverock, while his troops under Oliver Sinclair moved south along the Esk valley. On 24 November, at Solway Moss west of Longtown, they were surprised and routed by a much smaller English force, led by Thomas Wharton, Thomas Dacre, and John Musgrave, losing 1,200 prisoners, including many noblemen. James, already in poor health, died three weeks later.

J. A. Cannon

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