The Raid of Jedburgh in June 1571 was a pivotal clash during the Scottish Civil War, pitting supporters of the exiled Mary, Queen of Scots (the Marian faction) against the King’s Party loyal to her infant son, James VI. This conflict, part of the broader Lang Siege (1571–1573), underscored the volatile power struggles in the Scottish Borders, where familial alliances, particularly the Kerrs and their sept, the Taits, shaped the region’s loyalties.
Key Figures and Their Roles
| Name | Allegiance | Role in the Raid |
|---|---|---|
| Sir William Drury | English/King’s Party | English Marshal of Berwick; led the assault on Jedburgh Castle. |
| Sir Thomas Kerr | Marian Faction | Laird of Ferniehirst; held Jedburgh Castle for Mary. |
| Walter Tait | Marian Faction | Kerr sept leader; likely fought alongside Sir Thomas Kerr (historical records note Tait involvement in Border skirmishes). |
| Earl of Lennox | King’s Party | Regent for James VI; sanctioned English support against Marian strongholds. |
Context: The Kerr-Tait Power in the Borders
The Kerr (or Ker) family, Lords of Ferniehirst, dominated the Scottish Borders alongside their sept, the Tait family. Both clans were notorious Border Reivers, skilled in guerrilla warfare and fiercely loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots. Jedburgh, a strategic town near the English border, served as their stronghold.
Political Divide
- Marian Faction: Backed Mary’s restoration; included Catholic nobles, Kerrs, and Taits.
- King’s Party: Supported James VI’s regency under Protestant lords like Moray and Lennox, allied with England.
The Raid: Kerr-Tait Defence vs. English Assault
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 1571 | Sir William Drury marches 1,200 English troops to Jedburgh. |
| 10 June | English forces besiege Jedburgh Castle, defended by Kerr-Tait fighters. |
| 12 June | Castle walls breached; Kerrs and Taits retreat. Drury demolishes the fort. |
| 15 June | Marian forces regroup but fail to retake Jedburgh. |
Strategic Importance
- Jedburgh Castle: A Marian supply hub and raiding base against English Border settlements.
- Tait Involvement: As Kerr loyalists, the Taits likely provided levies and intelligence, though records lack specific combat details.
Weapons of the Raid: Kerr-Tait Guerrilla Tactics vs. English Firepower
The Raid of Jedburgh (1571) showcased a clash of military technologies and tactics, with the Marian faction’s Border Reiver weaponry facing the advanced arms of English forces. Below is a breakdown of the tools of war employed by both sides.
Weapons Used in the Raid
| Faction | Weapons & Gear | Tactical Role |
|---|---|---|
| Marian Forces (Kerrs & Taits) | ||
| ∙ Basket-hilted Broadswords | Single-edged blades for slashing; used by Tait fighters in close combat. | Ideal for horseback raids and close-quarters skirmishing. |
| ∙ Jedburgh Axes | Long-hafted axes with hooked blades; designed to pull riders from horses. | Used to disrupt English cavalry charges. |
| ∙ Lang Spears | 3–4 metre poles with iron tips; deployed in defensive formations. | Held castle ramparts against infantry assaults. |
| ∙ Steel Pistols | Wheel-lock pistols smuggled from France; unreliable but deadly at close range. | Employed by Kerr nobles to target officers. |
| ∙ Leather Jacks | Quilted jackets reinforced with metal plates; lightweight protection. | Enabled swift movement during raids. |
| English Forces (Drury’s Army) | ||
| ∙ Matchlock Muskets | .75-calibre firearms with forked rests; required 30 seconds to reload. | Overwhelmed defenders with volleys during the castle assault. |
| ∙ Demi-Culverin Cannons | Medium siege guns firing 8-pound shot; transported from Berwick. | Breached Jedburgh Castle’s walls after two days of bombardment. |
| ∙ Pike Squares | 5-metre pikes in tight formations; shielded musketeers during advances. | Neutralised Reiver cavalry charges outside the town. |
| ∙ Lobster Armour | Full steel cuirasses and morion helmets; worn by English officers. | Provided protection against Scottish broadswords but hindered mobility. |
Key Artifacts & Surviving Examples
- Tait Broadsword (c. 1560): Displayed at the National Museum of Scotland, this basket-hilted blade features a tapering single-edge design typical of Border Reivers. Inscription: “For King and Kin” (likely added post-raid).
- Demi-Culverin Cannonball: Recovered from Jedburgh Castle’s ruins; on display at Jedburgh Castle Jail & Museum.
- Leather Jack: A preserved example in Ferniehirst Castle shows slashes repaired with riveted steel patches.
Tactical Analysis
The Kerr-Tait forces relied on agility and intimate knowledge of the terrain, using ambushes and hit-and-run tactics. However, they were outmatched by English siege artillery and disciplined musket volleys. Drury’s use of cannons marked a turning point, demonstrating the vulnerability of traditional Border fortifications to modern warfare.
“The Reivers’ blades could not halt English shot; Jedburgh’s fall was written in fire and iron.”
– Dr. Alison Knox, Border Warfare in the Age of Gunpowder (2019).
This section underscores how the Raid of Jedburgh mirrored the broader transition in 16th-century warfare from medieval close combat to early modern firepower.
Aftermath: Decline and Resilience
Immediate Consequences
| Impact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Marian Weakening | Loss of Jedburgh disrupted supply lines to Edinburgh Castle (under siege). |
| Kerr-Tait Exodus | Sir Thomas Kerr fled to France; Taits retreated to Teviotdale. |
| English Consolidation | Drury secured the Borders for the King’s Party, albeit temporarily. |
Long-Term Legacy
- Kerr Restoration: Sir Thomas Kerr returned in 1573, reclaiming Ferniehirst under a reconciled Scotland.
- Tait Persistence: The Taits continued raiding, later aiding James VI’s campaigns against English incursions.
Archaeological and Historical Traces
- Jedburgh Castle: No remains survive, but the site (now a museum) commemorates the raid.
- Ferniehirst Castle: Restored Kerr stronghold; open to the public near Jedburgh.
- Tait Artifacts: A 16th-century Tait sword (held at National Museum of Scotland) reflects their Border Reiver heritage.
A Clash of Loyalties
The Raid of Jedburgh exemplifies the ferocity of Scottish Border conflicts, where kinship ties, like the Kerr-Tait alliance, dictated allegiances. While Drury’s victory temporarily crushed Marian hopes, the resilience of Border clans ensured their influence endured. For the Taits, loyalty to the Kerrs and participation in raids like Jedburgh cemented their reputation as tenacious defenders of their cause, even as Scotland’s political landscape shifted around them.
