Rough Wooing

The Rough Wooing was a war launched by Henry VIII in 1543, in an attempt to enforce the marriage agreement between his son Edward and Mary, Queen of Scots, which would have led to the union of the English and Scottish Crowns, an outcome undesirable to the Scottish nobility.

As well as some larger set piece battles the Rough Wooing was characterised by numerous cross border raids resulting in the burning of settlements, the killing of inhabitants and the theft of livestock.

The Swinhoe family of Cornhill were part of the gentry of North Northumberland and were paid by the crown to maintain a garrison of 20 horsemen at Cornhill Tower for the defence of the border. The Cornhill garrison was involved in many raiding parties that terrorised the people of Berwickshire and Roxburghshire.

After Henry’s death the war was continued under his son’s reign culminating in the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 where a large proportion of the Scottish nobility were to perish. However the Rough Wooing was ultimately unsuccessful and Mary was carried off to France to be betrothed to the Dauphin.  

The Treaty of Norham was signed at Norham Castle in 1551 and ended the war, the English military presence then withdrew from Scotland.

The citizens of Cornhill and Norham no longer visit death and destruction on their Scottish neighbours but instead ply them with high quality gin including this fine example.

Tasting Notes:

Serve with a light tonic or splash of soda, a twist of lemon peel, and if you are feeling fancy, a few berries to garnish. 

Researched and written by our friend and neighbour David Heslop