Sodden Flodden

In all the excitement of sorting out the small house in Duns Huttonian completely missed the annual foray to Flodden Field- a central part of Coldstream Civic Week. This years oration was given by our former MSP Euan Robson in filthy wet conditions and you can read all about it here

In response to enormous popular demand I reproduce an annual tribute to Flodden:

FLOGGING A DEAD FLODDEN


Once more they are at it .
Repeatedly, annually.
(Since 1513, probably)
Reivers, Reivers’ Lasses,
Coldstreamers, ‘Wynsome Maides’.
Battlefield orations by real live
Generals. In full plumage.
Sods carried in triumph.
English sods to a Scottish town.
Tattered, ragged Saltires unfurled
Ancient oaths retaken.

For what?
To commemorate
a glorious victory?
No!
A disastrous defeat cutting down
the Flower of Scotland.

Can you imagine the
celebrations
had they won?

I pity those
poor English incomers
who live near
Bannockburn.
Unlike those of us
in the Borders
they can’t take refuge
in the smugness
of past victories.

For them there is
no escape from
that uniquely Scottish condition:

Braveheartburn.


In 5 years time it will be the 500th anniversary of Flodden.

Watch this space

Labels: Borders, Flodden

  ¶ 11:34 AM