II.

THE BATTLE OF OTTERBOURNE.

The only battle wherein an Earl of Douglas was slain fighting with a Percy was that of Otterbourne, which is the subject of this ballad. It is here related with the allowable partiality of an English poet, and much in the same manner as it is recorded in the English Chronicles. The Scottish writers have, with a partiality at least as excusable, related it no less in their own favour. Luckily we have a very circumstantial narrative of the whole affair from Froissart, a French historian, who appears to be unbiassed. Froissart's relation is prolix; I shall therefore give it, with a few corrections, as abridged by Carte, who has, however, had recourse to other authorities, and differs from Froissart in some things, which I shall note in the margin.

In the twelfth year of Richard II., 1388, "The Scots taking advantage of the confusions of this nation, and falling with a party into the West-marches, ravaged the country about Carlisle, and carried off 300 prisoners. It was with a much greater force, headed by some of the principal nobility, that, in the beginning of August,[212] they invaded Northumberland; and, having wasted part of the county of Durham,[213] advanced to the gates of Newcastle; where, in a skirmish, they took a 'penon' or colours[214] belonging to Henry lord Percy, surnamed Hotspur, son to the Earl of Northumberland. In their retreat home, they attacked a castle near Otterbourn: and, in the evening of Aug. 9 (as the English writers say, or rather, according to Froissart, Aug. 15), after an unsuccessful assault were surprised in their camp, which was very strong, by Henry, who at the first onset put them into a good deal of confusion. But James Earl of Douglas rallying his men, there ensued one of the best-fought actions that happened in that age; both armies showing the utmost bravery:[215] the earl Douglas himself being slain on the spot;[216] the Earl of Murrey mortally wounded; and Hotspur,[217] with his brother Ralph Percy, taken prisoners. These disasters on both sides have given occasion to the event of the engagement's being disputed. Froissart (who derives his relation from a Scotch knight, two gentlemen of the same country, and as many of Foix)[218] affirming that the Scots remained masters of the field; and the English writers insinuating the contrary. These last maintain that the English had the better of the day: but night coming on, some of the northern lords, coming with the Bishop of Durham to their assistance, killed many of them by mistake, supposing them to be Scots; and the Earl of Dunbar, at the same time falling on another side upon Hotspur, took him and his brother prisoners, and carried them off while both

## parties were fighting. It is at least certain, that immediately after

this battle the Scots engaged in it made the best of their way home: and the same party was taken by the other corps about Carlisle."

Such is the account collected by Carte, in which he seems not to be free from partiality: for prejudice must own that Froissart's circumstantial account carries a great appearance of truth, and he gives the victory to the Scots. He, however, does justice to the courage of both parties; and represents their mutual generosity in such a light, that the present age might edify by the example. "The Englyshmen on the one partye, and Scottes on the other party, are good men of warre, for whan they mete, there is a hard fighte without sparynge. There is no hoo[219] betwene them as long as speares, swordes, axes, or dagers wyll endure; but lay on eche upon other: and whan they be well beaten, and that the one party hath obtayned the victory, they than glorifye so in their dedes of armes, and are so joyfull, that suche as be taken, they shall be ransomed or they go out of the felde;[220] so that shortely _eche of them is so contente with other, that at their departynge curtoysly they will saye, God thanke you_. But in fyghtynge one with another there is no playe, nor sparynge." _Froissart's Chronicle_ (as translated by Sir Johan Bourchier Lord Berners), cap. cxlii.

The following Ballad is (in this present edition) printed from an old MS. in the Cotton Library[221] (_Cleopatra_, c. iv.), and contains many stanzas more than were in the former copy, which was transcribed from a MS. in the Harleian Collection [No. 293, fol. 52.] In the Cotton MS. this poem has no title, but in the Harleian copy it is thus inscribed, _A songe made in R. 2. his tyme of the battele of Otterburne, betweene Lord Henry Percye earle of Northomberlande and the earle Douglas of Scotlande_, Anno 1388.

But this title is erroneous, and added by some ignorant transcriber of after-times: for, 1. The battle was not fought by the Earl of Northumberland, who was absent, but by his son, _Sir Henry Percy_, Knt., surnamed _Hotspur_ (in those times they did not usually give the title of _Lord_ to an Earl's eldest son). 2. Altho' the battle was fought in Richard II.'s time, the song is evidently of later date, as appears from the poet's quoting the chronicles in _Pt. II._, ver. 26; and speaking of Percy in the last stanza as dead. It was, however, written in all likelihood as early as the foregoing song, if not earlier. This, perhaps, may be inferred from the minute circumstances with which the story is related, many of which are recorded in no chronicle, and were probably preserved in the memory of old people. It will be observed that the authors of these two poems have some lines in common; but which of them was the original proprietor must depend upon their priority; and this the sagacity of the reader must determine.

* * * * *

[We have here a ballad founded upon a true historical event, in which the writer attempts to be as truthful as his national bias will allow him. In Chevy Chase, Percy is the aggressor, but in the "Battle of Otterburn," Douglas commences the encounter by his

## action. At the period under notice the king of England (Richard

II.) was occupied in dissension with his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, and the Parliament, while Robert II., King of Scotland, was very old, and his eldest son lame and inactive, so that the Border chieftains were pretty much left to their own devices. The Earl of Fife, a younger son of King Robert, and certain of the great nobles, arranged among themselves that an inroad should be made into England as a reprisal for the injuries the Scotch had at various times sustained from the English, and the expedition was placed under the command of James, Earl of Douglas.

Besides the ballad we are now considering there are metrical accounts of the battle in John Hardyng's _Chronicle_, Joannes de Fordun's _Scoti-Chronicon_, and Wyntoun's _Orygynal Cronykil of_ _Scotland_. In 1857, Robert White published an interesting _History of the Battle of Otterburn, fought in 1388, with Memoirs of the Warriors who engaged in that memorable conflict_. This book is written in an enthusiastic spirit by one who was born and bred on the Borders, and who kept alive in his soul the true old Border spirit. He listened on his mother's knee to the stanzas of the modern ballad of _Chevy Chase_, which she chanted to him, and he grew up with a feeling which he retained through life, that Percy and Douglas were far greater men than Napoleon and Wellington.

The exact date of the battle is an open question, for the authorities disagree as to this particular; thus Buchanan fixes it on July 21st, and other writers name, respectively, August 5th, 9th, 10th, 15th, and 19th. White thinks that the battle was fought on the evening of Wednesday and morning of Thursday, 19th and 20th of August, immediately before the full moon. In the year 1388 the new moon fell on the 6th of August, and Douglas is not likely to have chosen a period of dark evenings for his expedition. Another disputed point is the number of men in the Scottish army, under Douglas. Froissart gives the numbers at three or four hundred men-at-arms, and two thousand infantry; Wyntoun, at near seven thousand men; Buchanan, at three hundred horse and two thousand foot, besides servants and attendants; Godscroft, at four thousand horsemen; Ridpath, at three thousand men; and Scott, at three hundred men-at-arms, who, with their followers, made up from a thousand to fifteen hundred men, with two thousand chosen infantry. White makes the following statement as the result of his sifting of the conflicting accounts:--

Men-at-arms 400 Attendants on ditto, footmen, lackeys, and grooms 1,200 Infantry mounted 2,000 Attendants on ditto, boys to take care of horses, sutlers, &c 3,000 ----- 6,600

It has been supposed that the first part of this ballad down to verse 112 was originally of Scottish manufacture, for two reasons: 1st, because Hume, of Godscroft, refers to "a Scots song," which begins as this does; and 2nd, because haymaking has been over at least a month in England at Lammas, when Scotch husbandmen are still busy "winning their hay." This last reason, however, cannot be considered a very conclusive one, as the seasons must be much alike on the two sides of the Border. The second part is written from a thoroughly English stand-point. The two Scottish versions, viz. the one given by Scott in his _Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, and the one in _Herd's Collection_, are very different from the English ballad.]

* * * * *

Yt felle abowght the Lamasse tyde, Whan husbonds wynn ther haye,[222] The dowghtye Dowglasse bowynd[223] hym to ryde, In Ynglond to take a praye:

The yerlle[224] of Fyffe,[225] withowghten stryffe, 5 He bowynd hym over Sulway:[226] The grete wolde ever together ryde; That race they may rue for aye.

Over 'Ottercap' hyll they[227] came in, And so dowyn by Rodelyffe cragge, 10 Upon Grene 'Leyton' they lyghted dowyn, Styrande[228] many a stagge:[229]

And boldely brente[230] Northomberlonde, And haryed[231] many a towyn; They dyd owr Ynglyssh men grete wrange,[232] 15 To battell that were not bowyn.[233]

Than spake a berne[234] upon the bent,[235] Of comforte that was not colde, And sayd, We have brent Northomberlond, We have all welth in holde. 20

Now we have haryed all Bamboroweshyre, All the welth in the worlde have wee; I rede[236] we ryde to Newe Castell, So styll and stalwurthlye.[237]

Uppon the morowe, when it was daye, 25 The standards schone fulle bryght; To the Newe Castelle the toke the waye, And thether they cam fulle ryght.

Sir Henry Percy laye at the Newe Castelle, I telle yow withowtten drede; 30 He had byn a march-man[238] all hys dayes, And kepte Barwyke upon Twede.

To the Newe Castell when they cam, The Skottes they cryde on hyght,[239] Syr Harye Percy, and thow byste[240] within, 35 Com to the fylde, and fyght:

For we have brente Northomberlonde, Thy eritage good and ryght; And syne my logeyng I have take,[241] With my brande dubbyd many a knyght. 40

Sir Harry Percy cam to the walles, The Skottyssh oste for to se; "And thow hast brente Northomberlond, Full sore it rewyth[242] me.

Yf thou hast haryed all Bambarowe shyre, 45 Thow hast done me grete envye;[243] For the trespasse thow hast me done, The tone[244] of us schall dye."

Where schall I byde the, sayd the Dowglas? Or where wylte thow come to me? 50 "At Otterborne in the hygh way,[245] Ther maist thow well logeed be.

The roo[246] full rekeles ther sche rinnes,[247] To make the game and glee: The fawkon and the fesaunt[248] both, 55 Amonge the holtes on 'hee.'[249][250]

Ther maist thow have thy welth at wyll, Well looged ther maist be. Yt schall not be long, or I com the tyll,"[251] Sayd Syr Harry Percye. 60

Ther schall I byde the, sayd the Dowglas, By the fayth of my bodye. Thether schall I com, sayd Syr Harry Percy; My trowth I plyght to the.

A pype of wyne he gave them over the walles, 65 For soth, as I yow saye: Ther he mayd the Douglas drynke, And all hys oste that daye.

The Dowglas turnyd him homewarde agayne, For soth[252] withowghten naye, 70 He tooke his logeyng at Oterborne Uppon a Wedyns-day:

And ther he pyght[253] hys standerd dowyn, Hys gettyng[254] more and lesse, And syne[255] he warned hys men to goo 75 To chose ther geldyngs gresse.

A Skottysshe knyght hoved[256] upon the bent,[257] A wache[258] I dare well saye: So was he ware[259] on the noble Percy In the dawnynge of the daye. 80

He prycked[260] to his pavyleon dore, As faste as he myght ronne, Awaken, Dowglas, cryed the knyght, For hys love, that syttes yn trone.[261]

Awaken, Dowglas, cryed the knyght, 85 For thow maiste waken wyth wynne:[262] Yender have I spyed the prowde Percy, And seven standardes wyth hym.

Nay by my trowth, the Douglas sayed, It ys but a fayned taylle: 90 He durste not loke on my bred[263] banner, For all Ynglonde so haylle.[264]

Was I not yesterdaye at the Newe Castell, That stonds so fayre on Tyne? For all the men the Percy hade, 95 He cowde not garre[265] me ones to dyne.

He stepped owt at hys pavelyon dore, To loke and it were lesse; Arraye yow, lordyngs, one and all, For here bygynnes no peysse.[266] 100

The yerle of Mentaye,[267] thow arte my eme,[268] The forwarde[269] I gyve to the: The yerlle of Huntlay cawte[270] and kene, He schall wyth the be.

The lorde of Bowghan[271] in armure bryght 105 On the other hand he schall be: Lorde Jhonstone, and lorde Maxwell, They to schall be with me.

Swynton fayre fylde upon your pryde To batell make yow bowen:[272] 110 Syr Davy Scotte, Syr Walter Stewarde, Syr Jhon of Agurstone.

A FYTTE.

* * * * *

The Perssy came byfore hys oste,[273] Wych was ever a gentyll knyght, Upon the Dowglas lowde can he crye, I wyll holde that I have hyght:[274][275]

For thow haste brente Northumberlonde. 5 And done me grete envye; For thys trespasse thou hast me done, The tone of us schall dye.

The Dowglas answerde hym agayne With grete wurds up on 'hee,'[276] 10 And sayd, I have twenty agaynst 'thy' one,[277][278] Byholde and thow maiste see.

Wyth that the Percye was grevyd sore, For sothe as I yow saye: [[279]He lyghted dowyn upon his fote, 15 And schoote[280] his horsse clene away.

Every man sawe that he dyd soo, That ryall[281] was ever in rowght;[282] Every man schoote hys horsse him froo, And lyght hym rowynde abowght. 20

Thus Syr Hary Percye toke the fylde, For soth, as I yow saye: Jesu Cryste in hevyn on hyght Dyd helpe hym well that daye.

But nyne thowzand, ther was no moo; 25 The cronykle wyll not layne:[283] Forty thowsande Skottes and fowre That day fowght them agayne.

But when the batell byganne to joyne, In hast ther came a knyght, 30 'Then' letters fayre furth hath he tayne And thus he sayd full ryght:

My lorde, your father he gretes yow well, Wyth many a noble knyght; He desyres yow to byde That he may see thys fyght.

The Baron of Grastoke ys com owt of the west, Wyth hym a noble companye; All they loge at your fathers thys nyght, And the Battel fayne wold they see. 40

For Jesu's love, sayd Syr Harye Percy, That dyed for yow and me, Wende to my lorde my Father agayne, And saye thow saw me not with yee:[284]

My trowth ys plyght to yonne Skottysh knyght, 45 It nedes me not to layne,[285] That I schulde byde hym upon thys bent, And I have hys trowth agayne:

And if that I wende off thys grownde For soth unfoughten awaye, 50 He wolde me call but a kowarde knyght In hys londe another daye.

Yet had I lever[286] to be rynde[287] and rente, By Mary that mykel maye;[288] Then ever my manhod schulde be reprovyd 55 Wyth a Skotte another daye.

Wherfore schote, archars, for my sake, And let scharpe arowes flee: Mynstrells, playe up for your waryson,[289] And well quyt it schall be. 60

Every man thynke on hys trewe love, And marke hym to the Trenite:[290] For to God I make myne avowe Thys day wyll I not fle.

The blodye Harte in the Dowglas armes, 65 Hys standerde stode on hye; That every man myght full well knowe: By syde stode Starres thre.

The whyte Lyon on the Ynglysh parte, Forsoth as I yow sayne;[291] 70 The Lucetts and the Cressawnts both: The Skotts faught them agayne.[292]]

Uppon sent Andrewe lowde cane they crye, And thrysse they schowte on hyght, And syne marked them one owr Ynglysshe men, 75 As I have tolde yow ryght.

Sent George the bryght owr ladyes knyght, To name they[293] were full fayne, Owr Ynglysshe men they cryde on hyght, And thrysse the schowtte agayne. 80

Wyth that scharpe arowes bygan to flee, I tell yow in sertayne; Men of armes byganne to joyne; Many a dowghty man was ther slayne.

The Percy and the Dowglas mette, 85 That ether of other was fayne; They schapped[294] together, whyll that the swette, With swords of fyne Collayne;[295]

Tyll the bloode from ther bassonetts[296] ranne, As the roke[297] doth in the rayne. 90 Yelde the to me, sayd the Dowglàs, Or ells thow schalt be slayne:

For I see, by thy bryght bassonet, Thow arte sum man of myght; And so I do by thy burnysshed brande,[298] 95 Thow art an yerle, or ells a knyght.[299]

By my good faythe, sayd the noble Percy, Now haste thou rede[300] full ryght, Yet wyll I never yelde me to the, Whyll I may stonde and fyght. 100

They swapped together, whyll that they swette, Wyth swordes scharpe and long; Ych on other so faste they beette, Tyll ther helmes cam in peyses dowyn.

The Percy was a man of strenghth, 105 I tell yow in thys stounde,[301] He smote the Dowglas at the swordes length, That he felle to the growynde.

The sworde was scharpe and sore can byte, I tell yow in sertayne; 110 To the harte, he cowde hym smyte, Thus was the Dowglas slayne.

The stonderds stode styll on eke syde, With many a grevous grone; Ther the fowght the day, and all the nyght, 115 And many a dowghty man was 'slone.'[302]

Ther was no freke,[303] that ther wolde flye, But styffly in stowre[304] can stond, Ychone[305] hewyng on other whyll they myght drye,[306] Wyth many a bayllefull bronde. 120

Ther was slayne upon the Skottes syde, For soth and sertenly, Syr James a Dowglas ther was slayne, That daye that he cowde dye.[307]

The yerlle Mentaye of he was slayne, 125 Grysely[308] groned uppon the growynd; Syr Davy Scotte, Syr Walter Steward, Syr 'John' of Agurstonne.[309]

Syr Charlles Morrey in that place, That never a fote wold flye; 130 Sir Hughe Maxwell, a lorde he was, With the Dowglas dyd he dye.

Ther was slayne upon the Skottes syde, For soth[310] as I yow saye, Of fowre and forty thowsande Scotts 135 Went but eyghtene awaye.

Ther was slayne upon the Ynglysshe syde, For soth and sertenlye, A gentell knyght, Sir John Fitz-hughe, Yt was the more petye. 140

Syr James Harebotell ther was slayne, For hym ther hartes were sore, The gentyll 'Lovelle' ther was slayne,[311] That the Percyes standerd bore.

Ther was slayne uppon the Ynglyssh perte, 145 For soth as I yow saye; Of nyne thowsand Ynglyssh men Fyve hondert cam awaye:

The other were slayne in the fylde, Cryste kepe ther sowles from wo, 150 Seyng ther was so fewe fryndes Agaynst so many a foo.

Then one the morne they mayd them beeres[312] Of byrch, and haysell graye; Many a wydowe with wepyng teyres 155 Ther makes[313] they fette[314] awaye.

Thys fraye bygan at Otterborne, Bytwene the nyghte and the day: Ther the Dowglas lost hys lyfe, And the Percy was lede awaye.[315] 160

Then was ther a Scottyshe prisoner tayne, Syr Hughe Mongomery was hys name, For soth as I yow saye, He borowed the Percy home agayne.[316]

Now let us all for the Percy praye[317] 165 To Jesu most of myght, To bryng hys sowle to the blysse of heven, For he was a gentyll knyght.

[Illustration]

[***] Most of the names in the two preceding ballads are found to have belonged to families of distinction in the North, as may be made appear from authentic records. Thus in

THE ANCIENT BALLAD OF CHEVY CHASE.

[Second Fit, ver. 112. _Agerstone._] The family of _Haggerston_ of _Haggerston_, near Berwick, has been seated there for many centuries, and still remains. _Thomas Haggerston_ was among the commissioners returned for Northumberland in 12 Hen. 6, 1433. (Fuller's _Worthies_, p. 310.) The head of this family at present is _Sir Thomas Haggerston_, Bart., of _Haggerston_ above-mentioned.

N.B. The name is spelt _Agerstone_, as in the text, in Leland's _Itinerary_, vol. vii. p. 54.[318]

[Ver. 113. _Hartly._] _Hartley_ is a village near the sea in the barony of Tinemouth, about 7 m. from North-Shields. It probably gave name to a family of note at that time.

[Ver. 114. _Hearone._] This family, one of the most ancient, was long of great consideration in Northumberland. _Haddeston_, the Caput Baroniæ of _Heron_, was their ancient residence. It descended 25 Edw. I. to the heir general _Emiline Heron_, afterwards Baroness _Darcy_.--_Ford, &c._, and _Bockenfield_ (in com. eodem) went at the same time to _Roger Heron_, the heir male; whose descendants were summoned to Parliament: Sir _William Heron_ of Ford Castle being summoned 44 Edw. III.--Ford Castle hath descended by heirs general to the family of Delaval (mentioned in the next article).--_Robert Heron_, Esq., who died at Newark in 1753, (father of the Right Hon. Sir _Richard Heron_, Bart.) was heir male of the _Herons_ of Bockenfield, a younger branch of this family.--Sir _Thomas Heron Middleton_, Bart., is heir male of the _Herons_ of Chip-Chase, another branch of the Herons of Ford Castle.

[Ver. 115. _Lovele._] _Joh. de Lavale, miles_, was sheriff of Northumberland 34 Hen. VIII. _Joh. de Lavele, mil._ in the 1 Edw. VI. and afterwards. (Fuller, 313.) In Nicholson this name is spelt _Da Lovel_, p. 304. This seems to be the ancient family of _Delaval_, of _Seaton Delaval_, in Northumberland, whose ancestor was one of the 25 _Barons_ appointed to be guardians of _Magna Charta_.[319]

[Ver. 117. _Rugbè._] The ancient family of _Rokeby_, in Yorkshire, seems to be here intended. In Thoresby's _Ducat. Leod._, p. 253, fol., is a genealogy of this house, by which it appears that the head of the family, about the time when this ballad was written, was Sir _Ralph Rokeby_, Knt., _Ralph_ being a common name of the _Rokebys_.[320]

[Ver. 119. _Wetharrington._] _Rog. de Widrington_ was sheriff of Northumberland in 36 of Edw. III. (Fuller, p. 311.)--_Joh. de_ _Widrington_ in 11 of Hen. IV. and many others of the same name afterwards.--See also Nicholson, p. 331.--Of this family was the late Lord Witherington.

[Ver. 124. _Mongonberry._] Sir _Hugh Montgomery_ was son of _John_ Lord _Montgomery_, the lineal ancestor of the present Earl of Eglington.

[Ver. 125. _Lwdale._] The ancient family of the _Liddels_ were originally from Scotland, where they were lords of _Liddel Castle_, and of the Barony of _Buff_. (Vid. Collins's _Peerage_.) The head of this family is the present Lord Ravensworth, of Ravensworth Castle, in the county of Durham.[321]

IN THE BATTLE OF OTTERBOURNE.

[Ver. 101. _Mentaye._] At the time of this battle the Earldom of _Menteith_ was possessed by _Robert Stewart_, Earl of Fife, third son of K. Robert II., who, according to Buchanan, commanded the Scots that entered by Carlisle. But our minstrel had probably an eye to the family of _Graham_, who had this earldom when the ballad was written. See Douglas's _Peerage of Scotland_, 1764, fol.

[Ver. 103. _Huntleye._] This shews this ballad was not composed before 1449; for in that year Alexander Lord of Gordon and Huntley, was created Earl of _Huntley_, by K. James II.

[Ver. 105. _Bowghan._] The Earl of _Buchan_ at that time was _Alexander Stewart_, fourth son of K. Robert II.

[Ver. 107. _Jhonstone--Maxwell._] These two families of _Johnstone_ Lord of _Johnston_, and _Maxwell_ Lord of _Maxwell_, were always very powerful on the borders. Of the former family was _Johnston_ Marquis of Annandale: of the latter was _Maxwell_ Earl of Nithsdale. I cannot find that any chief of this family was named Sir _Hugh_; but Sir _Herbert Maxwell_ was about this time much distinguished. (See Doug.) This might have been originally written Sir _H. Maxwell_, and by transcribers converted into Sir _Hugh_. So above, in No. I. v. 90. _Richard_ is contracted into _Ric._

[Ver. 109. _Swintone._] _i. e._ The Laird of _Swintone_; a small village within the Scottish border, 3 miles from Norham. This family still subsists, and is very ancient.

[Ver. 111. _Scotte._] The illustrious family of _Scot_, ancestors of the Duke of Buccleugh, always made a great figure on the borders. Sir _Walter Scot_ was at the head of this family when the battle was fought; but his great-grandson, Sir _David Scot_, was the hero of that house when the ballad was written.

[Ibid. _Stewarde._] The person here designed was probably Sir _Walter Stewart_, Lord of Dalswinton and Gairlies, who was eminent at that time. (See Doug.) From him is descended the present Earl of Galloway.

[Ver. 112. _Agurstonne._] The seat of this family was sometimes subject to the kings of Scotland. Thus _Richardus Haggerstoun, miles_, is one of the Scottish knights who signed a treaty with the English in 1249, temp. Hen. III. (Nicholson, p. 2, note).--It was the fate of many parts of Northumberland often to change their masters, according as the Scottish or English arms prevailed.

[Ver. 129. _Murrey._] The person here meant was probably Sir _Charles Murray_ of Cockpoole, who flourished at that time, and was ancestor of the _Murrays_ sometime Earls of Annandale. See Doug. _Peerage_.

[Ver. 139. _Fitz-hughe._] Dugdale (in his _Baron._ v. i. p. 403) informs us that _John_, son of Henry Lord _Fitzhugh_, was killed at the battle of Otterbourne. This was a Northumberland family. Vid. Dugd. p. 403, col. 1, and Nicholson, pp. 33, 60.

[Ver. 141. _Harbotle._] _Harbottle_ is a village upon the river Coquet, about 10 m. west of Rothbury. The family of _Harbottle_ was once considerable in Northumberland. (See Fuller, pp. 312, 313.) A daughter of _Guischard Harbottle_, Esq., married Sir _Thomas Percy_, Knt., son of _Henry_ the fifth,--and father of _Thomas_ seventh, Earls of Northumberland.

FOOTNOTES:

[212] Froissart speaks of both parties (consisting in all of more than 40,000 men) as entering England at the same time: but the greater part by way of Carlisle.

[213] And, according to the ballad, that part of Northumberland called Bamboroughshire; a large tract of land so named from the town and castle of Bamborough; formerly the residence of the Northumbrian kings.

[214] This circumstance is omitted in the ballad. Hotspur and Douglas were two young warriors much of the same age.

[215] Froissart says the English exceeded the Scots in number three to one, but that these had the advantage of the ground, and were also fresh from sleep, while the English were greatly fatigued with their previous march.

[216] By Henry L. Percy, according to this ballad, and our old English historians, as Stow, Speed, &c., but borne down by numbers, if we may believe Froissart.

[217] Hotspur (after a very sharp conflict) was taken prisoner by John, Lord Montgomery, whose eldest son, Sir Hugh, was slain in the same

## action with an arrow, according to Crawford's _Peerage_ (and seems also

to be alluded to in the foregoing ballad, p. 31), but taken prisoner and exchanged for Hotspur, according to this ballad.

[218] Froissart (according to the English translation) says he had his account from two squires of England, and from a knight and squire of Scotland, soon after the battle.

[219] So in Langham's _Letter concerning Queen Elizabeth's entertainment at Killingworth Castle_, 1575, 12°. p. 61. "Heer was no ho in devout drinkyng."

[220] _i. e._ They scorn to take the advantage, or to keep them lingering in long captivity.

[221] The notice of this MS. I must acknowledge with many other obligations, owing to the friendship of _Thomas Tyrwhitt_, Esq., late Clerk of the House of Commons.

[222] Ver. 2. _winn their heaye. Harl. MS._ This is the Northumberland phrase to this day: by which they always express "getting in their hay."

[223] [prepared.]

[224] [earl.]

[225] _Robert Stuart_, second son of K. _Robert II._

[226] _i. e._ "over Solway frith." This evidently refers to the other division of the Scottish army, which came in by way of Carlisle. _Bowynd_, or _Bounde him_; _i. e._ hied him.

[227] _They_: sc. the Earl of Douglas and his party. The several stations here mentioned are well-known places in Northumberland. _Ottercap-hill_ is in the parish of Kirk Whelpington, in Tynedale-ward. _Rodeliffe_ (or as it is more usually pronounced _Rodeley_) _Cragge_ is a noted cliff near _Rodeley_, a small village in the parish of Hartburn, in Morpeth-ward. It lies south-east of Ottercap, and has, within these few years, been distinguished by a small tower erected by Sir Walter Blacket, Bart., which in _Armstrong's_ map of Northumberland is pompously called _Rodely-castle_. _Green Leyton_ is another small village in the same parish of Hartburn, and is south-east of Rodeley. Both the original MSS. read here corruptly, _Hoppertop_ and _Lynton_.

[228] [stirring.]

[229] V. 12. This line is corrupt in both the MSS., viz. "_Many a_ _styrande stage_." Stags have been killed within the present century on some of the large wastes in Northumberland.

[230] [burnt.]

[231] [pillaged.]

[232] [wrong.]

[233] [ready.]

[234] [man.]

[235] [field.]

[236] [advise.]

[237] [stoutly.]

[238] _Marche-man_, _i. e._ a scourer of the marches.

[239] [aloud.]

[240] [art.]

[241] Ver. 39. _Syne_ seems here to mean _since_.

[242] [regrets.]

[243] [injury.]

[244] [the one.]

[245] Otterbourn is near the old Watling Street road, in the parish of Elsdon. The Scots were encamped in a grassy plain near the river _Read_. The place where the Scots and English fought, is still called Battle Riggs.

[246] [roe.]

[247] Ver. 53. _Roe-bucks_ were to be found upon the wastes not far from Hexham in the reign of Geo. I.--Whitfield, Esq., of Whitfield, is said to have destroyed the last of them.

[248] [falcon and pheasant.]

[249] [woods on high.]

[250] V. 56. _hye_, MSS.

[251] [come unto thee.]

[252] [truth.]

[253] [pitched.]

[254] [booty.]

[255] [then.]

[256] [hovered.]

[257] Ver. 77. _upon the best bent._ MS.

[258] [spy.]

[259] [aware.]

[260] [spurred.]

[261] [enthroned.]

[262] [joy.]

[263] [broad.]

[264] [strong.]

[265] [force.]

[266] [peace.]

[267] The Earl of Menteith.

[268] [uncle.]

[269] [van.]

[270] [cautious.]

[271] The Lord Buchan.

[272] [ready.]

[273] Ver. 1, 13. _Pearcy_, all MSS.

[274] [promised or engaged.]

[275] V. 4. I will hold to what I have promised.

[276] Ver. 10. _hye_, MSS.

[277] He probably magnifies his strength to induce him to surrender.

[278] V. 11. _the one_, MS.

[279] All that follows, included in brackets, was not in the first edition.

[280] [let go.]

[281] [royal.]

[282] [rout.]

[283] [deceive.]

[284] [eye.]

[285] [break my word.]

[286] [rather.]

[287] [flayed?]

[288] [great maid.]

[289] [reward.]

[290] [commit himself to God by a sign.]

[291] [say to you.]

[292] The ancient arms of Douglas are pretty accurately emblazoned in the former stanza, and if the readings were, _The crowned harte_, and _Above stode starres thre_, it would be minutely exact at this day. As for the Percy family, one of their ancient badges of cognizances was a _whyte lyon_ statant, and the _silver crescent_ continues to be used by them to this day. They also give _three luces argent_ for one of their quarters.

[293] _i. e._ the English.

[294] [swapped? _i.e._ smote.]

[295] [Cologne steel.]

[296] [helmets.]

[297] [steam.]

[298] [sword.]

[299] Being all in armour he could not know him.

[300] [guessed.]

[301] [time.]

[302] Ver. 116. slayne. MSS.

[303] [man.]

[304] [fight.]

[305] [each one.]

[306] [endure.]

[307] V. 124, _i.e._ He died that day.

[308] [dreadfully.]

[309] Our old minstrel repeats these names, as Homer and Virgil do those of their heroes:

"----fortemque Gyam, fortemque Cloanthum," &c. &c.

Both the MSS. read here, "_Sir James_," but see above, Pt. I., ver. 112.

[310] [truth.]

[311] Ver. 143. Covelle. MS. For the names in this page, see the remarks at the end of this ballad.

[312] V. 153. one, _i.e._ on.

[313] [mates.]

[314] [fetch.]

[315] sc. captive.

[316] In the Cotton MS. is the following note on ver. 164, in an ancient hand:--

"Syr Hewe Mongomery takyn prizonar, was delyvered for the restorynge of Perssy."

[317] Ver. 165. _Percyes._--_Harl. MS._

[318] [Sir Walter Scott suggests that the person here alluded to was one of the Rutherfords, barons of Edgerstane or Edgerston, who at this time were retainers of the house of Douglas, but in _Chevy Chase_ Sir John of Agerstone was on Percy's side.]

[319] [This is a misreading, as the person intended was a Lumley.]

[320] Sir W. Scott supposes "Sir Raffe the ryche Rugbè" to be Sir Ralph Neville of Raby Castle, son of the first Earl of Westmoreland, and cousin-german to Hotspur. He is called Sir Ralph Raby in the modern version of the ballad.

[321] More probably the Sir David Lambwell of the modern version.