The Scottish army [25,000] under the Earl of Arran were deployed along the river Esk in a position that would be very difficult to take by frontal assult. The English [16,000] under the Duke of Somerset although numerically weaker were superior in cavalry and artillery, and were supported by the fleet off shore. On the 9th the Scottish cavalry crossed the river and taunted the English to attack. This they did and the Scottish cavalry were destroyed as a fighting force.
On the 10th the English began a move to their right and the Scotish response was to cross the river Esk. [Still a controversial move]. Once on this flat land without the river as a defence, the English superiority in cavalry and artillery soon won them the day.