Somerset's only undoubted skill was as a soldier, which he had proven on expeditions to Scotland and in the defence of
Boulogne-sur-Mer in 1546. From the first, his main interest as Protector was the war against Scotland.
[74] After a crushing victory at the
Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in September 1547, he set up a network of garrisons in Scotland, stretching as far north as
Dundee.
[75] His initial successes, however, were followed by a loss of direction, as his aim of uniting the realms through conquest became increasingly unrealistic. The Scots allied with France, who sent reinforcements for the defence of Edinburgh in 1548