1574 Battle of Pinkie Cleugh

#OTD in 1547: The Battle of Pinkie Cleugh was a key clash during the “Rough Wooing,” where England sought to force a marriage alliance with Scotland. It was the first pike-and-shot battle in the British Isles, marking a shift toward modern warfare with the combined use of infantry, cavalry, and artillery.

On the day of the battle, the English, led by the Duke of Somerset, decisively defeated the Scots near Musselburgh. Superior English firepower, including cannon and arquebuses, overwhelmed the Scots, who relied more heavily on traditional pike formations. The victory solidified English dominance in the conflict.