Talk by Iain Gale given on 20 March 2025
This talk by renowned military historian Iain Gale builds on the excellent research undertaken by author Leonard Low, about a significant battle occurred a short distance from St Monans church in 1548. The Scottish army, pulling away from losses in Musselburgh and Edinburgh, turned to fight, and defeat, the invading English army at Newark Castle, near St Monans.
It was the 16th century when Henry VIII’s armies decided to travel to East Lothian to attack the Fife coast as part of their ‘rough wooing’ crusade.
All other written records of this battle appear to have been lost when Oliver Cromwell ordered all Scottish records be shipped to the Tower of London, and several barrels filled with documents were lost at sea en route.
Iain’s talk brings this forgotten battle to life and highlights in some detail the tactics deployed by both sides to tell the story of a Scottish victory that played out on the shores of St Monans and left over 900 Englishman dead.
CLICK HERE to watch it online.