On this Day in History ... 11th September

Annals of Six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet. On that day [11th September 1297] envoys were sent to William Wallace and the Scots who were with him, inviting them to the king’s peace and promising them immunity for past actions. They replied that they had come for battle, not for peace. Richard de Lundie advising that the English should not cross the bridge, because they could not advance together in any number, but only two or three at most at a time, nevertheless, others urging it, the guardian decided that they should cross by the bridge. And behold, before half the army had crossed, the multitude of the Scots came upon them, and, engaging with those who had already crossed, slew almost all who had passed over. Among the few who escaped was Marmaduke de Thweng, who with great valour held the bridge so that he might return safely. The Guardian of Scotland fled as far as Berwick, committing the custody of the castle of Stirling to Marmaduke. The Steward of Scotland and the Earl of Lennox, seeing that the English had been overthrown, went over to the Scots. In this battle there fell Hugh de Cressingham, Treasurer of Scotland, whom the Scots, out of particular hatred, flayed, and divided his skin into pieces. The Guardian of Scotland fled from Berwick into England, going to the king’s son, and after him fled the other English who were in Berwick, leaving the town empty to the Scots, but the keepers of the castle, holding it, defended it bravely.

Exeunte vero mense Augusto comes Warenniæ, cum promissionem factam a Scotis de obsidibus videret decidere in nihilum, Willelmumque Waleis populum commoventem, et magnates sub dissimulatione ista permittentes, de Berewico progreditur versus Strivelin exercitu adunato; ubi venerunt ad comitem Warenniæ senescallus Scotiæ et comes de Lewenes, rogantes ut quiesceret, dum ipsi populum Scotorum ad pacem regis reducere attentarent. Cum autem non proficerent, redierunt quarto idus Septembris, se cum quadraginta equis in comitis adjutorium redituros in crastino promittentes. Quo die missi sunt nuntii ad Willelmum Waleis et Scotos qui cum eo erant, invitantes eos ad pacem regis, et pro retroactis impunitatem spondentes. Qui responderunt, Se ad pugnam, non ad pacem venisse.: Dissuadente autem Ricardo de Lundi ne Anglici pontem transirent, quia non possent simul in multitudine aliqua progredi, sed tantum bini vel terni ad plus; nihilominus tamen suadentibus aliis, elegit custos, ut per pontem transirent. Et ecce, antequam transiret exercitus medietas, supervenit Scotorum multitudo, et cum his qui jam transierant, congressa, pæne omnes qui transierant peremerunt. Inter paucos qui evaserunt fuit Marmeducus de Tuenge, qui in magna virtute obtinuit pontem, ut salvus rediret. Custos Scotiæ usque Berewicum fugiens, castri de Strivelin commisit custodiam Marmeduco. Senescallus Scotiæ et comes de Lewenes, videntes Anglicos corruisse, transfugerunt ad Scotos. Cecidit in hoc prælio Hugo de Cresingham, thesaurarius Scotiæ, quem Scoti ob odium speciale excoriantes, pellem ejus in particulas diviserunt. Custos Scotiæ de Berewico fugit in Angliam, adiens filium regis; fugeruntque post eum et ceteri Anglici, qui in Berewico erant, villam Scotis vacuam relinquentes. Custodes tamen castri illud tenentes viriliter defenderunt.

Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough. [11th September 1297] When the enemy [Scots] saw that so many of our men had already crossed the bridge, more than they believed they could overcome, they descended from the hill and, sending their spearmen, seized the foot of the bridge. From that moment, no passage or retreat was possible; many, in trying to flee, were thrown from the bridge and drowned. As the Scots came down from the hill, Sir Marmaduke de Tweng said to his companions, "Is it time, brothers, for us to ride against them?" When they responded that it was, they spurred their horses and charged. Some of the Scots fell, and nearly all their cavalry turned in flight. While they pursued the fleeing enemy, one of our men said to Sir Marmaduke, "My lord, we have been deceived, our troops are not following, and the royal and earl's banners are not to be seen." Looking back, they saw many of our men and the royal standard-bearers lying slain. They said, "The bridge is now closed to us; we've been cut off from our army. It would be better to entrust ourselves to the peril of the water, if we might possibly cross it, than to be cut down attempting to break through enemy lines, it is now difficult, indeed impossible, for us to pass through the Scots." But that most valiant Marmaduke said, "Surely, my dear friends, it will never be said of me that I drowned myself freely. Far be it from you also! Follow me, and I will carve a path through the midst of them to the bridge." Spurring his warhorse, he charged into the enemy, cutting them down to the left and right with his sword, and passed through them unharmed. A wide path opened for those who followed him, for he was mighty in strength and of great stature. While fighting bravely, his nephew, wounded and stunned, his horse slain but still on foot, cried out, "My lord, save me!" Marmaduke replied, "Climb up behind me. I cannot," the youth said, "for my strength has failed." Then one of Marmaduke's squires, dismounting, lifted the young man onto his own horse and said to his lord, "I will follow you wherever you go." He followed him to the bridge, and both were saved. Having seized the bridge by the strength of his arms, all those who remained behind perished, about a hundred knights and nearly five thousand foot soldiers, including three hundred Welsh who, although they had taken many lives, were finally overcome. Some survivors swam across the river, and one knight made it over on his fully armed horse, though with difficulty. That day, among the Scots' lance-bearers, fell Lord Hugh de Cressingham, treasurer of the king, rector of the church of Rudby, and chief justice in the assizes of York. Although he held prebends in many churches and had the care of many souls, he never put on spiritual armour or wore a chasuble, but donned helmet and mail, in which he fell. He who had once terrified many with the sword of his tongue in courts of law was finally slain by the sword of rebels. The Scots flayed him and divided his skin into small pieces among themselves, not as relics, but in mockery. For he was exceedingly fat and handsome. They called him not the king's treasurer, but his "traitor", and this was more accurate than they knew. For he led many astray that day, and he himself was misled, being fickle, slippery, arrogant, and wholly given to greed.

In the first engagement of our forces with the Scots, the Seneschal of Scotland and the Earl of Lennox, who had previously come peacefully, when they saw our men falling in battle, immediately withdrew to their own troops who were lying in wait in the woods near the marshes. Witnessing the outcome of that shameful affair, they came out to meet our fleeing soldiers and slaughtered many of them individually at the marshes, carrying off much spoil and carts laden with supplies; for the carts and pack animals could not easily be withdrawn by those fleeing through the lakes and marshes. Our commander, who had remained on this side of the bridge the entire time, upon the return of Sir Marmaduke with his men, ordered the bridge to be broken and burned. He entrusted custody of the castle of Stirling to the aforementioned Sir Marmaduke, promising him faithfully, on oath, that within the first ten weeks he would return to support him with a strong force. However, he did not fulfil what he had promised. Forgetful of his old age, he set out to Berwick with such haste that the charger he had been riding, stabled among the Friars Minor, did not taste any feed. Then he departed to join the king's son in the southern regions, leaving the country utterly desolate. This disaster took place on the third day before the Ides of September [11th September 1297], a Wednesday, in the year of grace above mentioned.

Cumque vidissent hostes tot jam evenisse quot superare potuerant, ut credebant, mox descenderunt de monte, et missis viris lanceariis occupaverunt pedem pontis, ita quod extunc nulli patebat transitus vel regressus, sed in revertendo sicut et in festinando super pontem præcipitati sunt multi et submersi. Descendentibus itaque Scotis de monte, dixit dominus Marmeducus consociis suis, "Estne tempus, fratres, ut equitemus ad eos?" Quibus respondentibus quod sic, mox stimulatis equis mutuo congressi sunt, et corruentibus quibusdam ex Scotis, cæteri equestres quasi omnes in fugam versi sunt. Quos cum insequerentur fugientes sic dixit unus ex nostris domino Marmeduco, "Domine mi, decepti sumus; non enim sequuntur nostri, et vexilla regis et comitis non comparent." Ad hæc respicientes retro, viderunt multos ex nostris et vexillarios regis et comitis corruisse, dixeruntque, "Præclusa est jam nobis via ad pontem, et a populo nostro intercepti sumus; melius est ergo ut credamus nos aquæ periculo, si forte transire possimus, quam hostium cuneos penetrantes quasi pro nihilo corruamus: difficilis immo impossibilis jam factus est nobis transitus per medium Scotorum." Ad hæc ille strenuissimus Marmeducus: "Certe, carissimi, nunquam dicetur de me quod gratis me submerserim; absit et hoc a vobis, sed sequimini me, et per medium eorum vobis viam faciam usque ad pontem; stimulatoque dextrario, mox irruit in hostes, et nunc hos nunc illos cædens gladio per medium transivit illæsus; patuitque via magna sequentibus eum, erat enim fortis robore et staturæ proceræ. Cumque ita strenue militaret, nepos illius vulneratus et attonitus, equo suo interfecto, sed stans tamen pedes, clamavit ad eum: "Domine mi, salva me." ille, "Ascende," inquit, "post me. Non possum; defecit enim robur meum." Moxque consocius ejus, armiger ejusdem domini Marmeduci, descendens de equo suo, eum ascendere fecit, et dixit domino suo, "Sequar te domine quocunque ieris;" et secutus est eum usque ad pontem, et uterque eorum salvatus est. Apprehenso itaque ponte per fortitudinem strenue militantis, omnes extunc quotquot ibi remanserant corruerunt, numero armatorum fere centum et peditum quasi quinque millia, inter quos trecenti Wallenses cum multos vita privaverant tandem quidam ex eis qui remanserant aquam natando transierunt. Unus etiam miles ex nostris cum difficultate aquam transiit in equo armato. Corruit eodem die inter Scotos lancearios prænominatus ille thesaurarius domini regis dominus Hugo de Cressyngham, rector Hugh de ecclesiæ de Ruddeby et capitalis justitiarius in is slain. assisis Eborum, qui cum esset præbendarius in multis ecclesiis, et multarum haberet curam animarum, nunquam tamen arma spiritualia vel casulam induit, sed galeam et loricam in quibus corruit. Et qui gladio linguæ suæ multos olim exterruerat in judiciis multis, gladio tandem perversorum occisus est; quem excoriantes Scoti diviserunt inter se pellem ipsius in modicas partes, non quidem ad reliquias sed in contumelias; erat enim pulcher et grassus nimis vocaveruntque eum non thesaurarium sed trayturarium regis, et verius hoc quam credebant; multos enim seduxit in die hac, sed et ipse seductus est qui erat levis et lubricus, elatus superbia et avaritiæ deditus.

In primo congressu nostrorum cum Scotis, senescallus Scotia et comes de Levenax, qui prius pacifice venerant, cum vidissent nostros corruisse confestim recesserunt ad suos qui in silvis latitabant juxta polles; qui nefandæ rei videntes eventum, egressi sunt obviam nostris, et multos particulariter fugientes peremerunt ibidem ad polles, asportantes spolia multa et quadrigas onustas abducentes; non enim poterant quadrigæ vel summarii a fugientibus abduci de facili in lacubus et mariscis. Comes vero noster citra pontem semper existens, reverso domino Marmeduco cum suis, præcepit pontem frangi et comburi, et commissa custodia ejusdem castri de Stryvelyn prædicto domino Marmeduco, promisit ei fideliter data fide quod infra primas decem ebdomadas veniret in ejus auxilium cum manu forti; non tamen adimplevit quod promisit. Oblitusque senectutis suæ profectus est apud Berewyk cum festinatione tanta quod dextrarius in quo sederat in stabulo fratrum Minorum positus nusquam pabulum gustavit. Deinde processit ad filium regis in partes australes, et reliquit patriam penitus desolatam. Facta fuit confusio hæc III idus Septembris, scilicet feria quarta, anno gratiæ supradicto.

Scalacronica. 11th September 1297. And the following winter, the said William Wallace burnt all Northumberland. The Earl of Warenne [aged 66], who was Keeper of Scotland for the King of England, being in the south¹, turned towards Scotland; where at the bridge of Stirling he was defeated by William Wallace, who, being at hand in order of battle², allowed so many of the English as he pleased to cross over the said bridge, and, at the right moment³, attacked them, caused the bridge to be broken, where many of the English perished, with Hugh de Cressingham, the King's Treasurer; and it was said that the Scots caused him to be flayed, and in token of hatred made girths of his skin. The Earl of Warenne took flight to Berwick. William Wallace, to whom the Scots adhered, immediately after this discomfiture, followed⁴ the said Earl of Warenne in great force, and skirting Berwick, arrived on Hutton Moor in order of battle; but perceiving the English arrayed to oppose him, he came no nearer to Berwick, but retired and bivouacked in Duns Park⁵.

Note 1. Warenne, or Surrey, which was his principal title, had been recalled on 18th August for service with King Edward on the Continent, and Sir Brian Fitz Alan was appointed Keeper of Scotland in his place. But Sir Brian having raised a difficulty about his salary (£1128 8s.), the Prince of Wales wrote on 7th Sept., 1298, requiring Surrey to remain at his post. (See Stevenson's Documents illustrative of the History of Scotland, ii. 230.)

Note 2. En batailA soun point. i.e., in force or in order of battle; used in both senses.

Note 3. A soun point. i.e.

Note 4. Suyst, misprinted fuyst in Maitland Club Ed.

Note 5. Not Duns Park on Whitadder, but in a place which then bore that name a little to the north of Berwick.

Tudor Tracts Chapter 4. Sunday the 11th of September [1547]. In the morning, a great sort [company] of us rode to the place of onset, where our men lay slain: and, what by gentlemen for their friends, and servants for their masters, all of them that were known to be ours were buried.

In the meantime, the Master and Officers of the Ordnance, did very diligently get together all the Scottish ordnance: which, because it lay in sundry places, they could not in [bring in] all overnight. And these were in number, a thirty pieces: whereof one culverin, three sakers, and nine smaller pieces were of brass; and of iron, seventeen pieces more, mounted on carriages.

These things thus done. Somewhat afore noon, our camp raised. We marched along the Frith side, straight towards Leith; and approaching nigh the same about three o'clock in the afternoon, we pight [pitched] our field [i.e., the camp] a prick shot on this side the town, being on the south-east half, somewhat shadowed from Edinburgh by a hill [Calton Hill], but the most of it lying within the full sight and shot of the Castle there, and in distance somewhat above a quarter of a mile.

My Lord's Grace, guarded but with a small company, was come to Leith well-nigh half an hour before the army; which he found all desolate of resistance, or anybody else. There were in the haven that runneth unto the midst of the town, a thirteen vessels of divers sorts. Somewhat of oade, wines, wainscot, and salt were found in the town: but as but little of that, so nothing else of value. For how much of other things as could well be carried, the inhabitants, overnight, had packed away with them.

My Lord Marshal and most of our horsemen were bestowed and lodged in the town. My Lord's Grace, my Lord Lieutenant, and the rest of the army in the camp.

The Gentleman's Magazine 1850 March. Blount's answer is dated from Cumnor on the 11th September [1560], and contains the following interesting narrative:

The same night I came from Windsor I lay at Abingdon all that night, and because I was desirous to hear what new: went abroad in the country, at my sappe I called for mine host, and asked hin what news was thereabout, taking upor me I was going into Gloucestershire. He said, there was fallen a great misfortune within three or four miles of the town; he said, my Lord Robert Dudley's wife [Amy Robsart [deceased]] was dead, and I axed how; and he said, by misfortune, as he heard, by a fall from a pair of stairs. I asked him by what chance; he said; he knew not. I axed him what was his judgment, and the judgment of the people; he said, some were disposed to say well and some evil. What is your judgmient? said I. By my troth, said he, I judge it a misfortune because it chanced in that honest gentleman's house; his great honesty, said he doth much cut (?) the evil thoughts of the people. My think, said I, that some of her people that waited upon her should somewhat say to this. No, sir, said he but little; for it was said that they wer all here at the fair, and none left with her. How might that chance? said I. Ther, said he, it is said how that she rose that day very early, and commanded all her sort to go [to] the fair, and would suffer none to tarry at home; and thereof is much judged. And truly, my lord, I did first learn of Bowes, as I met him coming towards your lordship, of his own being that day, and of all the rest of ther being, who affirmed that she would not that day suffer one of her own sort to tarry at home, and was so earnest to have them gone to the fair, that with any of her own sort that made reason of tarrying at home she was very angry, and came to Mrs. Odingstells (?), the widow that liveth with Anthony Forster, who refused that day to go to the fair, and was very angry with her also, because she said if was no day for gentlewomen to go in, bul said the morrow was much better, and then she would go. Whereunto my lady answered and said, that she might choose and go at her pleasure, but all hers should go; and was very angry. They asked whe should keep her company if all they went. She said Mrs. Owen should keep he company at dinner. The same tale doth Pirto (?), who doth dearly love her, confirm. Certainly, my lord, as little while as I have been here, I have heard diver tales of her that maketh me judge her to be a strange woman of mind. In askin of Pirto what she might think of the matter, either chance or villany, she said by her faith she doth judge very chance and neither done by man nor by herself. For herself, she said, she was a good virtuous gentlewoman, and daily would pray upon her knees; and divers time she saith that she had heard her pray to God to deliver her from desperation. Then, said I, she might have an evil toy (?) in her mind. No, good, Mr. Blount said Pirto, do not judge so of my words if you should so gather, I am sorry I said so much. My lord, it is most strange that this chance should fall upon you. It passeth the judgment of any man to say how it is; but truly the tales I do hear of her maketh me to think she had a strange mind in her; as I will tell you at my coming. (i. 402.)

Between 3rd September 1649 and 11th September 1649, Drogheda [Map], under the command of the Royalist Arthur Aston [aged 59], was besieged by the Parliamentary army commanded by Oliver Cromwell [aged 50].

On 11th September 1649 Oliver Cromwell had a letter delivered to Sir Arthur Aston, which proposed his Aston's surrender; Aston refused.

At 5:00 PM Cromwell ordered simultaneous assaults on the southern and eastern breaches in the walls of Drogheda.

At the southern breach, the defenders counterattacked. The death of their commander, Colonel Wall, caused them to fall back, allowing further Parliamentary reinforcements to be funnelled into the breach. In the fighting at the walls some 150 Parliamentarian troops, including Colonel Castle, were killed.

After the death of Colonel Wall with more and more Parliamentary soldiers streaming into the breaches, the Royalist resistance at the walls collapsed.

In Cromwell's words, "In the heat of the action, I forbade them [his soldiers] to spare any that were in arms in the town...and, that night they put to the sword about two thousand men".

The execution of Royalists constinued as and when they were discovered.

Around one hundred Royalists were discovered in St Peter's Church - Cromwell ordered the church and those inside to be burned.

Arthur Aston was killed.