On this Day in History ... 17th October

Lanercost Chronicle. [17th October 1346] So then, when the army was assembled, David summoned the Scots, those nations to be scattered who had desired war, and, like another Jabin against Joshua, he ordered three great and strong divisions to go out to meet the English. In the first division he appointed Earl Patrick; but he, as a cowardly waverer, refused the leadership that was offered him, more from weakness of mind than from prudence. His place was immediately taken by the Earl of Moray, who thus held the command of the foremost line of battle, and there, in the fight, he gave up his life. With him were many valiant men of Scotland, the Earl of Strathearn, the Earl of Fife, John Douglas, brother of Sir William Douglas, Sir Alexander Ramsay, and many other brave earls and barons, knights and squires, all raging furiously, frenzied in mind, advancing with one heart against the English. In their own strength they trusted firmly, rising up in pride like Satan himself, all thinking they would soar to the stars. The second division was led by King David himself, not the David of whom men sang in choir that he "put ten thousand to flight in battle," but that David of whom men in the marketplace declared that "his stench and filth defiled the altar." With him came the Earl of Buchan, Malcolm Fleming, Sir Alexander of Strathearn, father and son alike devoid of the Holy Spirit, the Earl of Menteith, and many others whose names we know not, and even if we did, it would be tedious to recount them all. In the third division was Earl Patrick, but better would he be called "of the homeland," for he did best of all by staying far away. He came not late, yet always stood afar off like another Peter, unwilling to await the end of the matter. In that battle he struck down no one, for he intended to take holy orders and to say Mass for the souls of the Scots who were slain, knowing that it is wholesome to pray the Lord for the rest of the departed. He was, indeed, a priest that day, for he gave the others a fine example of flight. His companion, Robert Stewart (later to be King Robert II), was no better, or rather, if one was worthless, the other was worse. Overcome with cowardice, he broke his vow to the Lord that he would never flee before the first blow was struck in battle. He fled with the priest, and as a good cleric thereafter, he will celebrate that "Mass" again! These two, turning their backs, fought manfully indeed, for with their whole company, and without a wound, they entered Scotland again, leading, as it were, a victory dance (and let David dance to it if he will). Around the third hour (about nine in the morning), a little distance from Durham, the English army met the Scots. In the first line stood the Earl of Angus, a noble man above all the nobles of England, of great courage and wondrous goodness, always ready to fight body and soul for his country, whose noble deeds scarcely tongue nor pen could express. Lord Henry de Percy, like another Judas Maccabaeus, son of Mattathias, was a brave warrior; though young, he was wise and valiant. He placed his own body in the front of the battle, and by his example stirred up all the others to rise bravely in the field. Lord Ralph de Neville, a true and mighty man, bold, shrewd, and greatly to be feared, fought in that battle so fiercely that afterward the marks of his blows were found fast upon his enemies. Lord Henry de Scrope was not the last, but the foremost in the front of the fight, striking down the foe. In the second division the Archbishop of York was leader, a prudent father who, having called his sons together, blessed them all; and, by God's grace, his devout blessing had full effect. There was also with him another bishop, of the Order of Friars Minor (a Franciscan), who for his blessing charged the English to fight manfully, under pain of great punishment, never to spare the Scots. And whenever he met the enemy, he gave, with a certain staff of days, not penance nor pardon, but indulgence, granting great absolution and full remission to the English for smiting their foes. Such was his power at that time that without confession he absolved the Scots from every lawful act with that staff! In the third division was Lord John de Mowbray, a man whose name suits his deeds, filled with grace and goodness, whose happy fame, worthy of great praise, spread widely abroad. He and all his men bore themselves so well that their deeds will redound to their honor through the ages. Sir Thomas de Rokeby, a noble captain, offered the Scots such a draught from his cup that, once they had tasted it, they had no desire to drink again. Thus he gave to all who saw an example of how to fight bravely for the holy cause of one's country. John de Coupland dealt such heavy blows among the enemy that those who felt the weight of his fists, as men afterward said, had no wish to prolong the fight. Then the trumpets sounded, shields clashed, arrows flew, lances pierced, swords struck, shouts rang out, and war-cries echoed, arms were shattered, heads were crushed, and, alas! many fell dead upon the field. Around the hour of Vespers the battle ceased, the Scots fleeing, the English slaying, praise and honor be to the Most High! On that day the English gained the victory. And so, through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Cuthbert, confessor of Christ, David and the "flower of Scotland" fell by the just judgment of God into the pit which they themselves had dug. Thus, the battle between the English and the Scots was fought as described; and, though few English were slain, nearly the whole knighthood of Scotland was captured or killed. For in that fight fell Robert, Earl of Moray, and Maurice, Earl of Strathearn, together with the best of the Scottish nobility. But David, called King of Scots, was taken prisoner along with the Earls of Fife, Menteith, and Wigtown, and Sir William Douglas, and, besides them, a great number of armed men. Not long afterward, the said David, King of Scots, with many of the chief captives, was brought to London and cast into prison. There the Earl of Menteith was drawn, hanged, and quartered, and his limbs were sent to various parts of England and Scotland. One of the said captives, namely Malcolm Fleming, Earl of Wigtown, because of infirmity, was not taken to London with the others, but left at Bothal, where, alas! through the treachery of a certain squire, his keeper, one Robert de la Vale, he was released and returned to Scotland without any ransom.

Igitur, confiderato populo, David Scottos convocat, gentes diffipandas quæ bella voluerunt, et, ut alter Jabyn contra Jofue, ad occurrendum Anglicis tres magnos exercitus et fortes ordinavit. In prima acie constituit comitem Patrik, fed ipfe, ficut sciolus, abnegans principium fiet poftulavit, magis ex vecordia quam ex profecutione. Ejus autem gradum comes de Moravia statim perpetravit, et fic in prima acie exercitus primarie primatum gerebat, qui in conflictu postea spiritum exhalavit. Cum illo erant multi valentes de Scotia, puta, comes de Strathern, et comes de Fife, Johannes de Douglas germanus domini Willelmi de Douglas, dominus Alexander de Rampsei, et multi alii valentes comites et barones, milites et armigeri, furiose furibundi, mente effrænati, omnes uno animo contra Anglicos, et proni procedentes nolebant cessare, in poteftate propria firmiter confifi, præ nimis superbia furgentes [ut] Sathana, omnes putabant ad stellas evolare. Secundum exercitum duxit ipse rex David, non tamen de quo canebant in choro quod decem millia in bello fugavit, fed ille David de quo in foro firmabant quod ejus fetor et fæx altare fedavit. Secum vero conduxit comitem de Boghane, Malcolm Flemynge, dominum Alexandrum de Straghern, fine spiritu fancto patrem et filium, comitem de Mentite, multos etiam alios quorum nefcimus, et si sciremus effet tædiofum omnia recitare. In tertio exercitu erat comes Patrik, fed melius vocaretur de patria, non hic ipfe venit tarde fed fecit optime, stetit femper a longe, ficut alter Petrus, finem tamen facti noluit exfpectare. In illo conflictu neminem mutulavit, quia intendebat ordines fufcipere, et pro Scottis interfectis missam celebrare, sciens quod falubre est pro defunctorum requiem Dominum exorare; tunc vero fuit prefbyter, quia aliis ad fugendum ipfe præbuit iter. Socius autem fuus Robertus Stewarde, si unus nequam alter nequaquam, ipse victus vecordia votum violavit Domino, quod primum ictum in prælio nunquam exfpectabit, qui fugit cum prefbytero, et ut bonus clericus illam miffam celebrare de cætero rimabit. Hi duo dorfa vertentes valide pugnaverunt, quia cum eorum exercitu fine aliquo vulnere Scotiam intraverunt, et fic ad tripudium (tripudiet fi voluerit David) eduxerunt. Circa horam tertiam modicum juxta Dunelmiam exercitus Anglicanus Scottis obviabat, tunc in prima acie comes de Angos inter omnes Angliæ nobilis persona, ingentis audaciæ et miræ bonitatis, in conflictu et anima pugnare pro patria femper est paratus, cujus optima facta vix lingua vel lingua poterant explicari. Dominus Henricus de Percy, ut alter Judas Machabæus filius Matathiæ, bonus præliator, hic parvus miles et providus ad occurrendum hoftibus in prima belli acie proponens corpus proprium, cunctos fic confurgere in campo confortabat. Dominus Radulfus de Neville, vir verax et validus, audax et aftutus et multum metuendus, in prædicto prælio iste sic pugnavit quod, ficut poftea patuit, veftigia ejus ictuum hoftibus inhærebant. Dominus Henricus de Scrope non erat ultimus, fed primus in fronte conflictus stationem ceperat, hoftes deprimendo. In fecundo exercitu dominus archiepifcopus Eboracenfis eorum ductor erat, qui, convocatis filiis, omnes benedixit, cujus, Dei gratia, devota benedictio locum habuit. Erat etiam alius epifcopus de ordine fratrum Minorum, hic pro fua benedictione viriliter pugnare præcepit Anglicis fub pœna maxima, ne quis Scottis parceret femper addidit, et quando hoftibus obviabat nec a pœna nec a culpa sed cum quodam baculo dierum indulgentiam, magnam pœnitentiam et bonam abfolutionem illis tribuit; talem poteftatem tunc temporis habebat quod fine confeffione aliqua cum prædicto baculo ab omni actu legitimo Scottos abfolvabat. In tertio exercitu dominus Johannes de Moubrai, qui habet nomen a re, repletus erat gratia et cum bonitate, cujus felix fama larga laude digna per diversa loca latius divulgatur, ipfe, et omnes fui, ita fe habebant quod cedet eis in decus per tempora diuturna. Dominus Thomas de Rokeby, ficut ductor nobilis, ipse talem poculum Scottis propinavit, quod poftquam femel fenferint non defiderabant iterum degustare, et fic exemplar exftitit omnibus videntibus pro pia caufa patriæ fortiter pugnare. Johannes de Couplande distribuit tales ictus inter inimicos quod ejus alaparum pondera portantes, ficut erat dictum, non dignabantur diu debellare. Tunc tubis clangentibus, scutis concurrentibus, sagittis volantibus, hastis perforantibus, percuffis proclamantibus, et turmis ululantibus, armis penetratis, capitibus conquassatis, pluribus, proh dolor! in campo prostratis, circa horam vefperarum conflictus cessavit, Scottis fugientibus, noftri occiderunt, laus, honor fit Altissimo! illo die Anglici victoriam habuerunt. Et fic precibus beatæ virginis Mariæ fanctique Cuthberti, Christi confefforis, David et flos Scotiæ justo Dei judicio cadebant in foveam quam ipfimet fecerunt. Commissum est igitur bellum inter Anglicos et Scottos, ut prædicitur, ubi, paucis Anglicis interfectis, pene tota militia Scotiæ capta fuit vel occifa; nam in illo prælio comes Moraviæ Robertus, et comes de Stratherne Mauricius, cum meliori militia Scotiæ pariter ceciderunt; David autem, dictus rex Scotiæ, cum comitibus de Fife, et de Mentef, et de Wightoun, ac domino Willelmo de Douglas, ac infuper [ ] armatorum copiofa, captus fuit, et non multo poft prædictus David rex Scottorum cum multis nobilioribus captis usque Londonias est perductus, et carcere mancipatus, ubi comes de Mentethe tractus fuit et suspensus, quarterizatus, et ejus membra ad diversa loca Angliæ et Scotiæ funt transmissa. Unus autem prædictorum captivorum, scilicet, dominus Malcolmus Flemyng, comes de Wyghtoun, [propter] infirmitatem Londonias cum aliis captis nullatenus tranfmiffus, fed apud Bothale, proh dolor! dimiffus, proditione cujufdam armigeri custodis fui, dicti Roberti de la Vale, in Scotiam fine redemptione aliqua est reverfus.

Adam Murimuth Continuation. In the year of the Lord 1347, in the sixth year of the pontificate of Pope Clement VI, and in the twenty-first year of Edward III since the Conquest, the year beginning at the feast of Saint Michael [29th September], around the same feast the King of France, seeing himself thus repulsed and shamefully weakened on every side, sent letters and stirred up the Scots to prepare themselves quickly to go to war against England. He asserted and declared to them that the whole strength of the land of England was with their king overseas, engaged in foreign parts, with only the strength of women left behind. The Scots, however, being presumptuous and long bound by allegiance to the King of France, obeyed his command without delay. Therefore, Lord David de Bruce, who called himself King of Scotland, having gathered with him a great multitude of Scots, set out toward England, intending to lay waste the whole land as far as he was able. Against his coming, the Archbishop of York, the Lord Percy, the Lord Neville, and other lords, both ecclesiastical and secular, namely barons, knights, squires, and other chosen men from the northern regions, caused all their forces to assemble....¹ having been previously omitted. And they assembled together at Durham on Tuesday, on the vigil [17th October 1346] of Saint Luke the Evangelist, where at that time the Scots were staying nearby. The northern men, eagerly desiring to engage them boldly, hastened competitively toward a certain place near Durham which in English is called Neville's Cross. When they had reached that place, a very fierce battle² was fought between the two armies. At length, by the inspiration of the grace of the Holy Spirit, the lord Archbishop and the lord Percy and the other lords on the English side so encouraged their companies that, the enemy having been defeated, with many indeed slain and many captured while fleeing and brought back, the fortune of war remained with the English in victory, with inexpressible joy. But while fleeing there were captured David, King of Scotland, the Earl of Fife, the Earl of Menteith, Sir William Douglas, and others, who were afterwards brought to London to await the king's will. Many others also were led away captive who were not brought to London. In that battle there were slain the Earl of Moray, the Earl of Strathearn, and fourteen other great lords. And there were captured there the aforesaid King of Scotland, David, the Earl of Fife, the Earl of Menteith, and the Earl of Wigtown, and twelve other great lords. The total number of the slain and the captured rose to twelve thousand and more.

Anno Domini MCCCXLVII, pontificatus papæ Clementis sexti anno VJ, Edwardi vero tertii a conquæstu XXJ, incipiente anno ad festum sancti Michaelis, circa idem festum rex Franciæ, videns se ita repulsam et in omni parte tarpiter hebetatum, missis literis, commovit Scotos ut festinanter se præpararent bellicose ituros super Angliam, asserens et denancians eis quod universale robur terræ Anglicanæ stetit cum eoram rege in partibus tranemarinis agente, vi muliebri solummodo excepta. Scoti vero, tanquam præsumptuosi et liganciæ regis Franciæ a diu astricti, mandato suo paruerunt indilate. Unde dominus David le Bruys, qui se dicebat regem Scociæ, sumpta secum numerosa maultitudine Scotorum, iter arripuit versus Angliamn, totam terram pro posse depopulaturus. Contra cujus adventum archiepi scopus Eboracensis, dominus de Percy, dominus de Nevylle, et alii domini, tam de ecclesiasticis quam de secnlaribus, scilicet baronibns, militibus, armigeris, et aliis electis viris de partibus borealibus, fecerunt convenire fortitudinem totam, quam con.... prætermisse. Et convenerant universaliter apud Dunelmiam die Martis in vigilia sancti Lucæ evangelistæ, ubi Scoti tune temporis prope fuerunt commorantes; cum quibus animose boreales congredi affectantes certatim properabant ad quendam locum juxta Dunelmiam qui Anglice dicitur Nevyllescrosse. Ad quem locum cum accessissent inter utrumque exercitum conflictus habebatur fortissimus. Inspirante tandem Spiritus Sancti gratia, dominus archiepiscopus et dominus de Percy et alii domini ex parte Anglicorum suas cohortes ita confortabant ut, hostibus devictis, pluribus scilicet occisis maltisque fugiendo captis et reductis, sors belli cum victoria Anglicis remansit cum gaudio ineffabili. Capti sant autem fagiendo David rex Scociæ, comes de Fyf, comes de Menetheth, dominus Willelmus Douglas, et alii, qui postes Londonias sunt perducti, voluntatem regis exspectaturi. Multi quidem alii ducti eunt captivi qui non venerunt Londonias. Occisi sunt autem in illo conflictu comes de Moryf, comes de Statherne, et alii magnates XIIIJ. Et capti eunt ibidem rex Scociæ David antedictus, comes de Fyf, comes de Menetheth et comes de Wygetone, et alii magnates XIJ. Summa occisoram et captivorum ascendit ad xij. millia et amplius.

Note 1. Here the manuscript is burnt.

Note 2. Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke: "The English lords of the Marches were grieved at the flight of their enemy's army; thus Lord William de la Zouche, Archbishop of York, who at that time held the king's authority in those parts, summoned with their forces the Bishop of Carlisle, the Earl of Angus, Lord de Mowbray, Lord Percy, Lord Neville, and other northern nobles, along with archers from the county of Lancaster. On the eve [17th October 1346] of the feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, they confronted the Scottish army at a place called Neville's Cross. The Scottish nation, unaccustomed to flight, stood boldly. With their heads protected in iron helms and forming a dense battle line, they attacked the English. Their polished helmets and numerous reinforced shields initially rendered the English archers' arrows ineffective. But the front line of English men-at-arms greeted the enemy with deadly blows. On both sides the warriors stood, more ready for death than retreat. One could see the Scots, exhausted from effort and stunned by blows from battle axes to their heads, still standing. In places where ten men stood closely packed, one well-aimed blow could bring down all ten, as was reported by those who saw them fall. The Scottish marshal, Earl Patrick, to whom command of the rear guard had been given, fled when he realized the English were standing firm and his men were falling, along with some of his equally rash companions. Lord Percy had predicted earlier that day: The rashness of that traitor, who never dared meet us even in the field, will benefit our army more than a thousand Scots could harm it.' While he fled, the rest remained loyal to their king, choosing a noble death over a disgraceful life. They stood tightly packed in the manner of a round tower, protecting the king in the centre, until scarcely forty were left alive. None of those could escape. At last, King David was captured by John de Copeland, and all others either perished or were taken for ransom, those, that is, who had remained steadfast with their king. The rest were pursued as they fled, killed or captured, all the way to Prudhoe and Corbridge. In that great battle were captured: David de Bruce, King of the Scots; the Earl of Menteith; the Earl of Fife; Lord Malcolm Fleming; the Earl of Wigtown; William Douglas; William de Livingstone; Walter de Haliburton; John Douglas; David of Annandale; John de St. Clair; William Mowbray; David FitzRobert FitzCant; William de Ramsay; Adam Moigne; John Stewart; Roger de Kirkpatrick; John Hume; and William Moray, knights; as well as James Sandilands, James Lorraine, and Henry del Kerr, squires. Killed in the same battle were: the Earl of Moray and the Earl of Strathearn; also Alexander Strachan, John de Haliburton, Henry de Ramsay, Nasus de Ramsay, Adam Nicholson, Thomas Boyd, John Stewart, Alan Stewart, David de la Haye, Edward de Keith, John de Crawford, John de Kindace, Philip de Meldrum, Henry de Ramsay, Alexander Moray, Humphrey de Boys, Gilbert Inchmartin, Robert Mautalent, and his brother Humphrey Kirkpatrick, John Strachan, and Patrick Heron, knights. Besides these, many others were also killed in the pursuit of the fleeing, by those chasing them; but no more than the number of surcoats taken from the main battlefield were brought back, so that by the number of cloaks, the number and names of the slain might be known."

Original Chronicle of Scotland by Andrew of Wyntoun. [17th October 1346] Than gud Schyre Jhone the Grame can say

To the Kyng, "Gettis me, but ma,

Ane hundyre on hors wyth me to ga,

And all yhone archerys skayle sall 1:

Swa sall we fecht mare sykkerly."

Thus spak he, bot he mycht get nane.

His hors in hy than has he tane,

And hym allane amang thame rade,

And rwdly rowme about hym made.

Qwhen he a qwhille had prekyd thare,

And sum off thame had gert sow sare,

He to the battaylis rade agayne.

[Sa fell it, thai his hors hes] slayne.

Original Chronicle of Scotland by Andrew of Wyntoun. [17th October 1346] The Erle off Murrawe and his menyhé

Than nere wes that assemblé:

At hey dykis assemblid thai,

And that brak gretly thaire aray;

Tharfor thai war swne dyscumfyte.

Thai, that held hale, sped thame full tyte

To the Kyng, that assemblid was

In till a full anoyus plas,

Than nane, but hurt, mycht lyfft his hand,

Qwhen thai thaire fayis mycht noucht wythstand.

To the Stwartis rowt than went thai,

That was assemblyd nere that way.

Thare had thai rowme to stand in fycht;

Thare mycht thai welle assay thare mycht.

Than bathe the fyrst rowtis rycht thare

At that assemblé Wencust war.

Thare wes hard fechtyng; as man sayis,

Swilk wes nevyre sene befor thai dayis:

Swa hard fechtyng than wes thare,

That qwhen the flearis twa myle and mare

'War fled, the banaris war standand,

And thai ware face to face fychtand,

As mony sayd; bot noucht for-thi

Thai war syne wencust wtarly.

Mony fled, and noucht agayne

Repayrid, and thaire war mony slayne.

Bourgeois de Valenciennes. After the battle and capture of Thérouanne, it happened that on the sixteenth day of October in the year of grace 1346, King David of Scotland, who had married the sister of King Edward of England, assembled all the high barons, knights, squires, noblemen, and other men-at-arms of the kingdom of Scotland. There were some eighty thousand men on horseback, including archers, for they knew well that the King of England was not in the country but was at the siege before Calais. It was said that at the urging of the King of France they entered England, laying waste, burning, and pillaging the land, and came near Durham. When the Queen of England learned of this, she assembled a great force and quickly summoned the Bishop of Durham and the Archbishop of York. There were good mounted men to the number of some seventy thousand English, and they advanced against King David of Scotland and his men. There was a very cruel and extraordinary battle¹. In the end, the King of Scotland was taken prisoner, and with him many other earls and knights and almost all the nobility of his realm. The flower of Scotland perished there, forty thousand men, not counting the English, of whom there was also a great number. The remaining Scots fled, and the Archbishop of York had the honour of the victory. The King of England, who was then before Calais, made rich all those who had taken prisoners in that battle.

Après celle bataille et prinse de Terewane, avint que le XVI^e jour d'octobre l'an de grâce mil CCC et XLVI, que le roi David d'Escoce, qui avoit espousée la suer du roy Édouart d'Engleterre, assambla tous les hauls barons, chevaliers, escuiers, gentils hommes et aultres gens d'armes du royalme d'Escoce; et estoient bien IIII^xx mil hommes à cheval, parmy les archiers, pour ce qu'ils sçavoient bien que le roy d'Engleterre n'estoit mye au pays, ains estoit au siège devant Callais. Et disoit-on que [ce fut] par l'enort du roy de France qu'ils entrèrent en Engleterre, en gastant, ardant et pillant le pays, et vindrent près de Durâmes. Et quant la royne d'Engleterre le sceult, elle assambla grans gens et manda hastivement l'évesque de Durâmes et l'arcevesque de Werwich, et furent bien de bonnes gens à cheval jusques au nombre de LXX^m hommes englecqs, et vinrent contre le roy David d'Escoce et ses gens. Et y eult très-crueuse et très-mervilleuse bataille. Et en la fin le roy d'Escoce y fut prins et avoec luy pluseurs autres contes et chevaliers et presque toute la noblesse de son royalme, et sy y mourut toute la fleur d'Escoce, et bien XL^m hommes sans les Englecqs, dont y eult grant nombre, et les aultres Escochois s'enfuyrent, et y eult l'arcevesque de Werwic l'onneur; et fist le roy d'Engleterre, qui alors estoit devant Callais, riches tous ceulx qui y prinrent les prisonniers.

Note 1. The Battle of Neville's Cross was fought on 17th October 1346. Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke: "The Scottish nation, unaccustomed to flight, stood boldly. With their heads protected in iron helms and forming a dense battle line, they attacked the English. Their polished helmets and numerous reinforced shields initially rendered the English archers' arrows ineffective. But the front line of English men-at-arms greeted the enemy with deadly blows. On both sides the warriors stood, more ready for death than retreat. One could see the Scots, exhausted from effort and stunned by blows from battle axes to their heads, still standing. In places where ten men stood closely packed, one well-aimed blow could bring down all ten, as was reported by those who saw them fall. The Scottish marshal, Earl Patrick, to whom command of the rear guard had been given, fled when he realized the English were standing firm and his men were falling, along with some of his equally rash companions. Lord Percy had predicted earlier that day: "The rashness of that traitor, who never dared meet us even in the field, will benefit our army more than a thousand Scots could harm it." While he fled, the rest remained loyal to their king, choosing a noble death over a disgraceful life. They stood tightly packed in the manner of a round tower, protecting the king in the centre, until scarcely forty were left alive. None of those could escape. At last, King David was captured by John de Copeland, and all others either perished or were taken for ransom, those, that is, who had remained steadfast with their king. The rest were pursued as they fled, killed or captured, all the way to Prudhoe and Corbridge.

Froissart Book 4: 1346-1356. 298. When the Queen of England, who was staying at Newcastle, heard that the victory had gone in her favour and that of her people, she was greatly rejoiced, as was only right. She at once mounted her palfrey and came as quickly as she could to the field where the battle had taken place. The four prelates and the three barons, who had been the leaders and organizers of this enterprise, received the noble queen very graciously and joyfully, and recounted to her in good order how God had visited and favoured them, that though they were but a small company, they had defeated the King of Scotland and all his power. Then the queen asked what had become of the King of Scotland. She was told that a squire of England, named John of Copeland, had captured him and carried him off with him, but no one knew where or to what place. Then the queen decided that she would write to the said squire and send him word very firmly that he should bring her his prisoner, the King of Scotland, and that he had not acted properly nor to her pleasure in having taken him away from the others without leave. These letters were written and sent by one of the queen's knights. While that knight made his journey, the English made their arrangements and remained all that day on the field which they had bravely won, and the queen with them, honoring and greatly celebrating the good and valiant knights who had taken part in this enterprise. There were presented to her the Count of Moray, the Earl of March, and all the others. And on the next day, the queen and all the lords returned with great joy to the town of Newcastle upon Tyne.

298. Quant la royne d'Engleterre, qui se tenoit au Noef Chastiel, entendi que la journée estoit pour li et pour ses gens, si en fu grandement resjoïe, ce fu bien raisons. Et monta tantost sus son palefroy, et s'en vint dou plus tost qu'[elle] peut sus le place, là où la bataille avoit esté. Li quatre prelat et li troi baron, qui chief et ordeneur de ceste besongne avoient esté, reçurent la noble royne moult doucement et moult joieusement, et li recordèrent assés ordonneement comment Diex les avoit visetés et regardés, que une puignie de gens qu'il estoient, il avoient desconfi le roy d'Escoce et toute sa poissance. Lors demanda [la roine] dou roy d'Escoce que il estoit devenus. On li respondi que uns escuiers d'Engleterre, qui s'appelloit Jehans de Copeland, l'avoit pris et mené avoech lui, mès on ne savoit à dire où ne quel part. Donc eut la royne conseil que elle escriroit devers le dit escuier et li manderoit tout acertes que il li amenast son prisonnier le roy d'Escoce, et que mies bien à point n'avoit fait ne au gret de lui, quant ensi l'en avoit mené hors des aultres et sans congié. Ces lettres furent escrites et envoiies par un chevalier de madame. Entrues que li dis chevaliers fist son voiage, se parordonnèrent li Englès et se tinrent tout ce jour sus le place que gaegnie vaillamment avoient, et la royne avoech eulz, qui honnouroit et festioit grandement les bons et vaillans chevaliers qui à ceste besongne avoient esté. Là li furent presenté li contes de Mouret, li contes de le Marce et tout li aultre. Et retournèrent à lendemain à grant joie la royne et tout li signeur en le ville dou Noef Chastiel sur Thin.

Deeds of King Edward III by Robert of Avesbury. He then advanced further into England until the reverend father William de la Zouche, archbishop of York, together with the noble lords Percy and Neville and other magnates of those regions, having gathered men-at-arms and archers from the surrounding parts, met him at Neville's Cross in the field near Durham on the vigil [17th October 1346] of Saint Luke the Evangelist. There they fought fiercely against him, and Christ, the most mighty champion, by His grace granted them victory over the Scots. In this battle the earls of Moray and Strathearn and the whole flower of the knighthood and men-at-arms of the kingdom of Scotland perished by the sword and by flying arrows. David himself, king of Scotland, was captured, together with the earls of Menteith and Fife, and the lords Malcolm Fleming, who had styled himself earl of Wigtown, and William Douglas, along with many other men-at-arms. Thus, their deceit was turned back upon their own heads, and their wickedness fell upon their own crowns.

Et tunc ulterius in Angliam profectus est, quousque reverendus pater magister Willelmus de la Zouche, archiepiscopus Eboracensis, nobilesque domini de Percy et de Nevyle, aliique magnates dictarum partium, collectis hominibus armorum et sagittariis de partibus memoratis, ad crucem Nevile, in campo juxta Durham, in vigilia sancti Lucæ evangelistæ obviam sibi dantes, cum eodem fortiter prœliarunt; quos Christus, athleta fortissimus, per suam gratiam contra Scotos prævalere concessit. In quo conflictu comites de Murif et Stratherne totusque flos militiæ ac hominum armorum regni Scotiæ in ore gladii et a sagittis volantibus perierunt. Dictus vero dominus David, rex Scotorum, ac de Mentif et Fif comites, dominique Masclunus de Flemmyng, qui se fecerat nominari comitem de Wygetone, et Willelmus Douglas et alii multi homines armorum capti sunt. Sicque dolus ipsorum in capita propria conversus est, et in vertices illorum eorum iniquitas descendebat.

Annales of England by John Stow. [17th October 1346] The French king in this meanetime sent a number of Genowayes and other hired souldiours unto David king of Scots, earnestly requesting him that he would invade England with all his force: wherefore about the 7th of October [1346] he with a mighty power entred England, passing along by Berwicke, which was strongly defended by the Englishmen, and so, ranging over the forest of Alnewike, they wonne a certaine mannour place called Luden, belonging to the lord Walter Wake¹, who yeelded himselfe on condition to be ransomed, where (Selby a knight being desirous by law of armes to save his life) he was taken, which when it was known to David, he commanded him to be slaine: but Selby intreated for him that he might be brought alive to the presence of David, who having obtained his request, he falleth downe before David, requesting his life for ransotne, but he was againe adjudged to die. The malice of the tyrant was such, that he commanded two of the children of the poore knight to be strangled in sight of their father, and afterwards himselfe, being almost madde for sorrow, was beheaded. From thence the Scots passed forward, wasting along the countrey, wherein were many farmers belonging to the monasterie of Durham, and comming within two miles of Durham they tooke certaine of the monks, which they kept prisoners for their ransome, making covenant with the residue for a certaine summe of money and corne to redeeme their mannours from spoyling. The Englishmen of the marches fleeing before the face of the enemie, William de la Zouch, archbishop of Yorke, vicegerent to the king in the marches, calling together the bishop of Carleile, the earle of Anguise, the lord Mowbray, the lord Henry Percy, the lord Ralph Nevel, Ralph Hastings, with all their ayde, together with the archers of Lancashire, went towards the armie of the Scots, and on the eeven of saint Luke met them at a place called Bewre Parke, neere Nevils Crosse. The Scottish nation, not accustomed to flee, withstoode them stoutely, and having head-pieces on their heads and targets on their armes, preasing sore upon the Englishmen, they abode the brunt of the archers: but the men of armes, which were in the forefronts, gave their enemies many deadly wounds. The marshall of the Scottes, earle Patrike, who had the charge of the rereward, when he perceived his men to be beaten downe, he fled away with other that were privie to his cowardlines: he being fled, the residue of the Scottes, continuing faithfully with their king, stoode about him like a round tower, keeping him in the middle, who so continued till there was scarce fortie of them left alive, of the which not one of them could escape away. At length, David their king valiantly fighting and sore hurt, an esquire of Northumberland, named John Copland, tooke him, who with eight of his servants rode straite out of the field with the king, and so rode fifteen leagues from that place to a castle called Orgalus, the residue about him being taken or slaine; the Englishmen pursued the chase after them which were fled, slaying and taking them as farre as Prudihow and Corbridge.

Note 1. It will be noticed that, owing to the corrupt state of the Latin text, Stow has fallen into great confusion regarding the death of Selby, substituting an imaginary 'lord Walter Wake' for the unfortunate man.

State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason. Some Particulars of the Behaviour, and of the Execution of Col. John Jones [aged 63], the 17th of October, 1660, at the same place.

The Copy of a Letter sent from Col. John Jones, when prisoner in the Tower of London, to a Relation.

I am very much grieved, to find (by the note I received from you) such dark and sad apprehensions upon your spirits concerning me: We are in the hands of the Lord, and what he hath appointed for us, will be our portion, and no man can frustrate his holy purpose concerning us; which I question not will be found to be in love, whatever appearance it may have to men. My advice is to you and all that love me, That (in case I be removed from you) you do not, neither in reality, nor outward garb, mourn for me; but rather rejoice, that my portion is in heaven; and that my dissolution or removal out of this earthly Tabernacle, is but in order to my cloathing with immortality, and possess ing my eternal mansion; and to my being for ever with Christ, to behold his glory; and therefore that you do not.behave yourself, as those that have no hopes but of this life.

Secondly, That you take off your mind from have no resting-place to delight in, or to promise them safety; until we return to the ark of his testimony, the bosom of his love manifested and exhibited for us in our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. I write in haste, therefore excuse my abruptness. Thine in sincere love, Tower, Sept. 19, 1660. JOHN JONES.

Let the first and last verses of Psalm 27, be constantly fixed upon thy mind.

Ver. 1. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

Ver. 14. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart? wait I say on the Lord.

Some few living Sentences, that fell from a dying man, Col. John Jones, when he was in his chains in Newgate. Observing one of col. Scroop's children weeping, he takes her by the hand, saying to her, You are weeping for your father, but suppose your father were to morrow to be king of would you weep so? Why he is going to reign France, and you were to tarry a little behind, with the King of kings, in everlasting glory.

Speaking to a friend, that was to have açcompanied him into Ireland, Ah! dear heart (says he) thee and I were in that storm toether, going to Ireland, and if we had gone this journey then, we had been in heaven to have welcomed honest Harrison and Carew; but we will be content to go after them, we will go after.

Speaking of those that were gone beyond the seas, (O dear hearts, says he) in what a sad condition are our dear friends beyond sea, where they may be hunted from place to place, and never be in safety, nor hear the voice of the turtle; how much have we gotten the start of them, for we are at a point, and are now going to heaven?

Speaking of the sledge in which he was to be carried to execution; it is (said he) like Elijah's fiery chariot, only it goes through Fleetstreet.

The time of his departure being come, this aged gentleman was drawn in one sledge, with his aged companion colonel Scroop, whose grave and graceful countenances, accompanied with courage and chearfulness, caused great admiration and compassion in the spectators, as they passed along the streets to Charingcross, the place of their execution: And after the executioner had done his part upon three others that day, he was so drunk with blood, that like one surfeited, he grew sick at stomach; and not being able himself, he set his boy to finish the tragedy upon colonel Jones; who coming up the ladder with the like chearfulness as his brethren did before him, and being placed fit for execution, he proceeded to speak as followeth:

Colonel John Jones's Speech upon the Ladder.

There are two things that are necessary now I am going through this narrow gate or passage to the eternal majesty; I say, two things are necessary as to the occasion of my coming hither to receive my Father's good pleasure.

1st, Peace with God. 2ndly, peace with man.

I shall speak something to each of these; and, in the first place, speak something of the Court wherein I received the sentence: it hath been reported, as I was told, that I confessed this fact, and confessed that I was guilty of murder, as under those several expressions that are in the Indictment, viz.

I desire to clear myself before the Lord, and before the world, in that particular; for should I grant that I was guilty in reality and truth of murder and malice, I should belye my own conscience, and draw upon me a greater weight than I could bear. But thus far I do confess, I was willing to make the work as short as I could; and because I would not stand so long, I told them I would take the first jury that came; and when a jury was called, then I did confess so much as I was convinced of, as to the matter of fact; I desire you will judge cha- ritably of this that I speak at this time, as in the presence of the Lord, that it is not so really (viz. that I acknowledged myself guilty of murder), I had no such thing in my heart.

I must confess I very freely quit his majesty, considering what he doth in this case is the part of a loving son to a father, especially the judges telling him that it is the law; and I conceive that the Court did nothing but what they, to their best understandings, judged right as to law; therefore I freely acquit the Court, though there was not enough said to satisfy such a poor creature as I am, in so great and deep a point as that was: as for all others, I do not know any man on the earth, to whom I do bear any malice, but I am in perfect cha- rity with all men, and I hope the Lord is in charity with me: and therefore, as I desire to have forgiveness myself from all those I have offended, even so I do freely forgive all those that have in any measure offended me.

The next thing is towards God, and it is that which should be last upon my heart it is not expected that I should give an account here of my state and condition, for that is betwixt God and my own soul; and I do, through the grace and goodness of God, firmly believe that my redemption is wrought, and my pardon is sealed, and that I shall be immediately in my father's arms, and that I shall be translated and brought to behold the Lord Jesus Christ in glory, with comfort and fulness of joy.

Then he betook himself to his prayers.

Col. Jones's Prayer.

"Blessed Lord God, thou art the great opener, open unto my soul the Lord Jesus' Christ, who will lead me into the ways of truth and life; O God save me, make good all the pledges of thy love unto my soul; oh make all the promises which I have believed all the days of my life, make them now good unto my soul, giving me the full enjoyment of thyself: I desire to bless and praise thy name for this hour that thou hast brought me to, oh, what am I poor worm, that thou shouldest give me this opportunity to suffer for thy name, and to acknowledge thy mercies before so great a congregation at this place. Holy Father, Holy Father, oh that thou wouldest now rain down blessings from heaven upon thy poor creatures, that do hear and behold this action, this day; oh that thou wouldest sanctify this thing to them, and let poor England be a land of truth and happiness, O Lord let England flourish: and oh that thou wouldest make thy angel of light to go before thy people: good God we pray thee keep off those great judgments that hang over the heads of these nations, because they have sinned against thee: through thy name sanctify us, let not thy name be reproached. Dear Father, receive my soul, I am ready to come unto thee: blessed Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, blessed be thy name, in that thou hast opened the treasures of thy love unto my poor soul. Thou hast given me this hope, whereof I need not be ashamed. Blessed be thy name, my spirit is full of joy. Oh Holy Father, holy Father, I pray thee let thy blessing come down upon thy poor people. Look upon me, Holy Father: stretch out thine arms to carry me over this brook. I pray thee stand by me, dear Father, I cast myself into thy hand, I commit my soul unto thee."

His prayers being ended, he said, Mr. Sheriff, I must needs return you many thanks for your civility.

Sher. Repl.I am glad to hear such an ingenuous confession, and that you make such an end, and that you have not gone into any reviling language, as some others have done before.

Some more Passages of Colonel John Jones in Prison.

Col. Jones, the night before he suffered, told a friend he had no other temptation upon him but this, lest he should be too much transported, and carried out to neglect and slight his life, so greatly was he satisfied to die in that cause.

The day he suffered, he grasped a friend in his arms, and said to him with some expressions of endearedness, Farewell: I could wish thee in the same condition with myself, that thou mightest share with me in my joys.

After this he committed his soul to God, and was turned off.