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Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we set sail back to the stormy waters of April 7th, 1522, when the Firth of Forth—usually a bustling artery of Scottish trade—was suddenly turned into a battleground. A fleet of seven English warships, like thunder on the horizon, launched a brutal surprise attack on Scottish merchant vessels and coastal communities. This wasn’t just a skirmish—it was a chilling reminder of how fragile peace was in the ever-tense relationship between England and Scotland. And if you’re curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!

To understand the significance of this attack, we need to look at the state of Anglo-Scottish relations in the early 16th century. The year was 1522. Scotland was under the rule of the young James V, who had ascended the throne as a child following the death of his father, James IV, at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. That battle had been a catastrophic loss, leaving Scotland vulnerable and politically fractured. A series of regencies and power struggles followed, and while James V was technically king, much of the governance was handled by ambitious nobles vying for influence.

Meanwhile, England was ruled by Henry VIII, a monarch whose ambitions knew few bounds. Henry had already established himself as a formidable military leader and political schemer. His sights were often set northward, eager to influence, destabilize, or outright control Scotland—either through diplomacy, marriage alliances, or brute force.

April 7th, 1522 marked a day when brute force took center stage. The English fleet, comprised of seven warships, entered the Firth of Forth—a vital body of water for Scotland’s maritime commerce. Merchant vessels, filled with goods bound for continental Europe or returning with foreign wares, were easy targets. The English didn’t merely intercept trade—they launched a campaign of destruction.

The attack was swift and devastating. Ships were boarded, looted, and sunk. Coastal settlements along the Forth, including harbors and small towns, were shelled or raided. The smell of smoke filled the air, and terrified villagers fled inland. This was not just a military operation—it was psychological warfare, designed to instill fear and remind Scotland that the English navy could strike at will.

The raid was part of a larger campaign of hostilities that had been brewing. Just months earlier, Henry VIII had joined forces with Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire against France—Scotland’s traditional ally. This alliance placed Scotland in a dangerous position, surrounded by powerful enemies and increasingly isolated. The English attack in the Firth of Forth was both a strategic move to disrupt Scottish trade and a warning shot: England was watching, and any attempt to support France or resist English pressure would be met with fire and steel.

The aftermath of the raid was sobering. Trade ground to a halt, insurance rates for merchant vessels skyrocketed, and many Scottish lords demanded retaliation. But Scotland was in no position for a full-scale naval response. The country’s navy was small, and internal divisions hampered any coordinated defense.

James V, still a teenager, would grow up deeply influenced by these threats and humiliations. He would later invest in fortifying Scotland’s coastal defenses and rebuilding the navy—but in 1522, the kingdom was simply caught off guard. The attack exposed just how vulnerable the kingdom had become in the wake of Flodden and underscored the importance of naval strength in an increasingly maritime age.

This event also sowed seeds of deeper mistrust. It wasn’t just a tactical blow—it was a cultural wound. Merchants lost fortunes, communities were displaced, and the people of Scotland were once again reminded of the ever-looming English threat. It reinforced the idea that Scotland must look to itself—to its fortresses, its fleets, and its people—for survival.

Today, the Firth of Forth is better known for its iconic bridges and scenic beauty. But on this day in 1522, its waters bore witness to fire and fear. The English raid may not have toppled a kingdom, but it shook its foundations and left a legacy of caution and resistance.

Thank you for joining me on This Day in Scottish History. I hope you’ve enjoyed this tale of ships, strategy, and struggle on the Scottish seas. For more captivating stories from Scotland’s past, be sure to visit bagtownclans.com/thisday. Until next time, I’m Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!

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