The Rough Wooing, also known as the Eight Years' War, was part of the Anglo-Scottish Wars of the 16th century. Following its break with the Catholic Church, England attacked Scotland, partly to break the Auld Alliance and prevent Scotland being used as a springboard for future invasion by France, partly to weaken Scotland, and partly to force the Scottish Parliament to confirm the existing marriage alliance between Mary, Queen of Scots, and the English heir apparent Edward, son of King Henry VIII, under the terms of the Treaty of Greenwich of July 1543. An invasion of France was also contemplated.
Anglo-Scottish border at the time of the Rough Wooing
Surviving buildings in the Old Town of Edinburgh
Sir John Luttrell, English commander at Inchcolm and Broughty Castle
Facsimile of a contemporary sketch showing the deployment of Hertford's forces before they burnt Edinburgh in May 1544
The Anglo-Scottish Wars comprise the various battles which continued to be fought between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland from the time of the Wars of Independence in the early 14th century through to the latter years of the 16th century.
A 15th-century illustration showing an English herald approaching a troop of Scottish soldiers
English army at Berwick upon Tweed, 1482
