In July 1460 James II of Scotland began a campaign to reclaim Roxburgh, aiming to take advantage of the fact that the Wars of the Roses were raging in England.

[1][2] This intermittent conflict led to the decline of the city of Roxburgh as trading patterns in the region broke down, and by 1460 it was little more than a garrison post.

A parliament due to meet in Aberdeen was moved to Edinburgh as the fragilities of Henry VI's regime became apparent.

[4] James and his army first arrived at Roxburgh in July, first taking the English dominated town before laying siege to the castle.

Writing 100 years later Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie stated the king's thigh was snapped in two and he was "stricken to the ground and died hastily".