Introduction
In September 1513, King James IV of Scotland found himself torn between ties of family and obligations of state. He chose the latter, and on a cold and lonely field in Northumberland, James and thousands of his loyal subjects paid dearly.
EARLY in the 16th century, Pope Julius II of Rome and King Louis XII of France were at war, and King Henry VIII of England had sided with the Pope. So Louis begged the Scottish King James IV to invade England, reminding him of the ‘Auld Alliance’, the Scots’ long-standing friendship with France.
Even though James was married to Henry’s sister Margaret, he honoured his alliance with the French. Observing the courtesies of a bygone age, the King sent formal ‘defiance’ to London, allowing Queen Catherine (since her husband was in France) time to organise an army under the Earl of Surrey.
On the 9th of September 1513, the two sides met just south of the village of Branxton in Northumberland, close to Flodden Edge. The Scots, once again displaying a chivalry worthy of a nobler cause, were cut down in their thousands by the more pragmatic English, and King James himself fell in battle, the last British monarch to do so.
Précis
In 1513, the French King invoked the ‘Auld Alliance’ with Scotland, hoping that if James IV invaded England from the north, that would draw Henry VIII of England away from war in France. However, Catherine of Aragon proved a capable defender of Henry’s realm, and on 9th September James was defeated at Branxton in Northumberland, and died in the battle. (60 / 60 words)
In 1513, the French King invoked the ‘Auld Alliance’ with Scotland, hoping that if James IV invaded England from the north, that would draw Henry VIII of England away from war in France. However, Catherine of Aragon proved a capable defender of Henry’s realm, and on 9th September James was defeated at Branxton in Northumberland, and died in the battle.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, besides, despite, not, ought, unless, until, whether.
Archive
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Chivalry. Honor. King.
2 Earl. Stand. Thousand.
3 Even. Meet. Observe.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
sprtd (5+1)
separated. spirited. sported. sprouted. spurted.
aspirated.
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