The Battle of Flodden in 1513 was the largest battle ever to take place
between England and Scotland. James IV himself led an army of 30,000 men
over the border into England, ostensibly in revenge for the murder of a
Scotsman, but in reality to assist their ally the French by diverting
the forces of Henry VIII. The Scots were hampered by old-fashioned
weapons and tactics, while the English deployed more accurate artillery
and their vaunted longbowmen. When King James IV was killed while
leading a charge, and many of their officers were killed, the Scots were
left in disarray and the English victory was decisive.