Description:

In 1496 James IV was returning from a siege of Norham Castle on the English side of the border when a flash flood swept him from his horse. The king was hauled out of the water by his men before he could drown.

James attributed his survival to intercession by the Virgin Mary and in gratitude, he ordered a church to be built, facing Norham and its castle on the Scottish side of the river. Building of this church was begun around 1500.