straight And thanked the Earl at that tide Then on his horse he leaped light Saying my Lord ye lack a Guide But I shall you conduct full straight To where the Scots encamped are I know of old the Scotish sleight And crafty stratagems of war Thereto experience hath me taught Now I shall shew you who I am On borders here I was up brought And Bastard Hearon is my name What quoth th' Earl Bastard Hearon He dyed at least now two years since Betwixt Newarke and Northampton He perisht through the Pestilence Our King to death had deem'd the man ' Cause he the Scotish Warden slew And on our borders first began Those â—aging warrs for to renew But God his purpose did prevent He died of the Plague to prove King Harry his death did since lament He wondrous well the man did love Would God thy tale were true this tide Thou Bastard Hâ—aron might be found Thou in this gate should be our guide I wot right well thou knows the ground I am the same said he again And therewith did unfold his face Each person then perceived plain That done he opened all the case Quoth he when I the Scots Warden Had with blade bereav'd of life I wist well I should get no pardon But sure I was to suffer death In hast King Harry for me sent To whom I durst not disobey So towards London straight I went But hark what wile I wrought by th' way I nought but truth to you shall note That time in many a Town and Borough The Pestilence was passing hot And raging reign'd all England thorough So coming to a certain Town I said I was infected sore And in a Lodge they laid me down VVhere company I had no more But my own secret servants three For Townsmen ' fraid for fear did watch So in that stead no more I staid But homeward by the dark dispatch My servants secretly that night Did frame a Corps in cunning sort And on the morrow as it was light My death did rufully report And so my servants soon that Morn The Corps to bury made them bowne Crying alas like men forlorn And seem'd for sorrow to fall down The Corps they cunningly convey'd And caus'd the Bells aloud be rung And money to the Priest they paid And Service for my soul was sung Which done they tydings straight did bring Unto King Henry how I was dead Christ have his soul then said the King For sure he should have lost his head If he up to the Court had come I promise had so by St. Paul But since God did prevent our doom Almighty Christ forgive his soul To Mansion mine I came at last By journies nimbly all be night And now two years or more are past Since J aptly appeard in sight No wight did weet but I was dead Save my three Servants and my wife Now I am start up in this steed And come again from death to life Which said the Lords and Captains Sam From laughing loud could not abstain To hear his gaâ—de they had good gam And of his welfare all were fain Whose policy they had perceived And often times his truth had try'd Which was the cause so sore they craved This Hearon grave to be their guid Then forth before he fiercely flew The Borders bold to him did draw The total Army did ensue And came that night to Wallers Haw There the English Lords did lodge their Host Because the place was plain and dry And was within six miles at most Whereas their Enemyes host did ly The morrow next they all remov'd Though weather were both fold and ill Along down by a pleasant floâ—d which called is the water of till And all that day they view'd in sight Whereas the Scots for battle bold Because the day was spent that night The Army lodg'd at Barrin wood Then Valiantly with the Vantgard The morrow next with Mature skill The Admiral did march forward And passed over the water of till At Toynsil bridge with ordinance And other Enginâ— fit for War His father eke did forth advance And at Milford from thence not fâ—â— With the rear ward the river past All ready in ranks and battle array They had no need more time to wast For victuals they had none that day But black fasting as they were born From flesh or fish or other food Drink had they none two dayes before But water wan in runing flood Yet they such stedful faiths did bear Unto their King and Native land Each one to other then did swear Gainst foes to fight while they could stand And never flee while life did last But rather dye by dint of sword thus over plains and hills they past Vntill they came at Sandifort A brook of breadth a Taylors yard Where the Earl of Surry thus did say Good fellows Souldiers be not fear'd But fight it out like men this day Like English men now play your parts Bestow your stroaks with stomack bold Yee know the Scottish coward hearts And how we have them scourged of old Strike but three stroaks with stomack stout And shoot each man sharp arrows three And you shall see without all doubt The scolding Scots begin to flee Think on your Countries common wealth In what estate the same shall stand To English men no hopes of health If Scots do get the upper hand If we should not boldly abide But beastlike backs of them should turn All England North from Trent to Tweed The haughty Scots would harry and burn Your Faithful wives your daughters pure They would not stick for to defile Of life none should be safe and sure But murthered be by villains vile But if yee 'l fight like Souldiers fierce So that by force we win the field My tongue cannot tell and rehearse What plenteous soil we then shall wield Beside all that perpetual praise Throughout all ages shall we gain And quietly drive forth our dayes And in perduring peace remain All Sam. the souldiers then replâ—d And there to th' Earl promised plight There on that bent boldly to bide And never flee but fiercely fight Then Marched forth the men of War And every band their banner shew'd And Trumpets hoarse was heard afar And glistering harness shining view'd Thus they past forth on the plain And streight forth by a valley low Where up above on the Mountain The Scotish army in fight they saw Whom they did leave on the left hand And past forth on the sunny side Till 'twixt the Scots and Scotish land They were conducted by their guide Now all this while the King of Scots Beheld them fair before his eyne Within his mind drove many doubts Musing what th' English men did mean Giles Musgrave was a Guileful Greek And friend familiar with the King Who said Sir King if you do seek To know the English mens meaning Ye better notice none can have Then that which I to you shall tell What they forecast I full conceive Yea I know
Licensed November 11. 1663 Roger L'Estrange Floddan Field IN NINE FITS BEING An exact History of that Famous memorable Battle fought between English and Scots ON Floddan-Hill IN THE Time of Henry the Eighth Anno 1513. Worthy the Perusal of the ENGLISH NOBILITY LONDON Printed by P. L. for H. B. VV P. and S. H. and are to be sold in Iâ—y-lane and Grays-Inn gate 1664. Floddan Field NOW will I cease for to recite King Harry's Affairs in France so wide And of Domestick Wars I 'le write which in his absence did betide A fearful field in Verse to frame I mean if that to mark ye list O Floddan-Mount thy fearful name doth sore affray my trembling fist Almighty Mars do me admit For to discourse with sounding praise This bloody field this fearful fight Which fought was in our fathers dayes You muses all my mind incense And thou Polhymnia most prudent Least Nemesis for each offence With Poets rod make me repent Pardon ye Poets all I cry My simple rude and rugged rime And though your hill Pernassus hie Presumptuously I press to climbe For What is he with haughty stile Such deeds of honour could contrive No not the learned great Vergil If that on Land he were alive Who could reveal in Volumne short The haughty Howards â—â—liant act Though paper none did make report Fame would not fail such noble fact Or thou O Stanley stiffe in store Thou imp of Mars thy worthy meeds Who can discourse with due honour Or paint with praise thy valliant deeds Thy doleful day work still shall be Accurst in Scotland with an out-cry For Hectors match this man was he who calm the mount of Floddan hye What banners bravely blaz'd and born What standarts stout brought he to th' ground What worthy Lords by him forlorne The sorrow in Scotland yet doth sound Ye heavenly powers your aid I crave My slender muse help to awake Grant of this work in hand I have A lucky fine and end to make Before King Henry past the Seas And ere to France he did transfleet Least that the Scots should him disease He constitutâ—â—â—ains meet For he perusing in presence Of English Kings their acts so bold He saw how Scots in their absence What dammage they had done of old Wherefore least they should work some teen As they had thought to have done indeed His Realm unto his royal Queen He left to be rul'd by her read Then for the Earl of Surry he sent And regent of the North him made And bad him if the Scots were bent The Northern border to invade That he should raise a Royal band In Yorkshire and in Bishoprick In Westmorland and Cumberland In Lancashire and Cheshire eke And if thou need Northumberland Quoth he there be strong men and stout Which will not stick if need doth stand To fight on horse back or on foot There is the doughty Dakers old Warden of the west marsh is he There are the bows of Kendall bold Who fierce will fight and never flee There is sir Edward Stanley stout For Martiall skill clear without make Of Lathom house by line came out whose blood will never turn their back All Lancashire will live and dye With him so chiefly will Cheshire For through his Fathers force quoth he This Kingdome first came to my sire Lord Clifford eke a lusty Troope Will there conduct a Captain wise And with the lusty knight Lord Scroope The power of Richmonshire will rise The warden all look that you warn To hearken what the Scots forecast And if they signs of War discerne The Beacons bid them fire fast The Earl their sight with sorry heart And drown'd his face with trickling tears when from his Prince he did depart And from his Royal country Peers Grant thou quoth he Almighty God A shameful death that he may die Which is the cause of mine abode Bereav'd of the Kings Company Some thought to th' King of Scots that he Did wish such foul fortune and fate And some thought to the Earl of Darby Between whom then was great debate The Earl then his Tennants tall Martially in Musters did elect And then his way by Journeys small To Pomfret Castle did direct Then did he send sir William Bulmer And bad him on the borders ly With Ordinance and other gear Each house offence to fortify And bad him call the borderers bold And hold with him in readiness And get him word with speed he could If Scots meant any business Then caus'd he watch in every street And posts to prick through downs and dales So what was wrought he straight did weet â—rom Carlisle to the coasts of Wales When flickering fame that monstrous wight With hundred wings wapping was blown And in the Court of Scotland light And bruit abroad was blaz'd and blown Of King Henry's enterprise And how he fared was into France With all his Peers in Princely wise To bring that Land to his obeysance England to over run with rage The Scots then meant as was their guise Still when the King was under age Or Occupide some otherwise King James his courage gan to increase And of his counsel crav'd to know If he were better bide in peace Or fight against his brother in Law Alas said he my heart is sore And care constraineth me to weep That ever I to England swore Either League or love a day to keep Had I not entred in that Band I swear now by this burnished blade England and Scotland both one land And Kingdom one I could have made That Realm we should so over-run That England still after this age As our Elders to them have done Unto our Crown to do homage Then stood there up a Baron stout A lusty Leird of Dowglasse blood My Leige quoth he have you no doubt But mark my words with mirthful mood The League is broak have you no dreed Believe me Leige my words are true What was the English Admirals deed When Andrew Barton bold he slew Your ships and armour eke they took And since their King did nothing fear To send his aid against the Duke Of Gelders your own cosen dear Hath not the bastard Hearon slain Your Warden with his spiteful Spear The league therefore and peace is vain And frustrate do you nothing fear Then manful Maxwell answered soon My Leige the League is broke by right For th' English King ought not to have gone Against your friends in France to fight Have you in League not entred late With Lâ—wis your cosen the French King And now you see what great debate Betwixt the King and him doth hing What greater kindnesse could you shew Unto your friend the King of France Then with English blood your blade t' imbrew Against that Land to lift your Lance. You see what dammage to you was done By English Kings in time of old Your Bâ—rders burnt â—nd Barwick Town Still by strong hand they from you hold Wherefore more time lets not consume But fiercely sight
will not take our parts Set forward Syr'es then can he say Unto the Howards let 's make hast And being sore wearied with the way At Anwick town arriv'd at last Whose coming did greatly rejoyce The Earle and all his company Who but the Eagle bare the voice With wings wapped as he would flee At Anwick while the army increast The weather wax't both soul and wet With rain down ratling never ceas'd That every brook burst forth on float Such rustling winds such blustering breast And rushing day and night did sound Which made the Earle sore agast His son Lord Admiral should be drown'd Which at his parting had promis'd plight To his father if he were alive At Newcastle with main and might His Fleet in merry ray to arive Which promise he did fully keep Sir Neptune did such friendship show And safely then he and his Fleet To â—â—pâ—y Haâ—â—n did bestow Then souldiers soon he set on land And to his father fast he hy'd With warlike wights in worthy band Two thousand men at least well tryed With Cartains couragious and keen At Anwick they arriv'd at last Whom when the Earle his army had seen With sudden fear they were agast For seeing their armour as black as ink Some said it was some Scottish band And divers did esteem and think They were some force from forraign land Some took their harnesse some their horse And forward fast busied to feight But when they saw St. Georges Crosâ— And English armes born up on height Some said it was some â—olly crew The King had sent from France that â—yde The southern men the â—ooth soâ—â— knew And loud Lord Admiral they cryâ—d Who when the Earl of Surâ—y saw He thanked God with heart so milde And hand â—or joy to heaven did throw His son was say'd from waters wild A merry meeâ—ing there was seen For first they kist and then imbrac'd For joy the tears fell from thâ— eyne All sorepost fears was 〈◊〉 â—ac'd Then caus'd the Earl each Captain count Under their wings what souldiers were Which done the number did but mount To six and twenty thousand seere Then the Earl call'd a Council â—oone Of prudent Lords and Captains wife And how the battle might best be done He bade them shew their best device Some said too small their number was To atchieve so great an enterprise Sâ—me councell'd posts back for to pass For aid and cause the countries rise And from the south the Queen some 〈◊〉 A band of souldiers soon would send And will'd to stay for while they staid Their powers daily might amend Some said the Scots straightway would slee And powers daily would diminish Wherefore to stay was their counsel Thus they the Earl did admonish Up start the Admiral then in ire And stamping stood with stomack 〈◊〉 Why sir said he there to his â—ir◠〈◊〉 cowardiâ—e lent you his 〈◊〉 Let never King Harry hear for shame That you should play this dastaâ—d part 〈◊〉 ne're be blown by trump of faine That you should bear a cowards heart Hath not King Henry left you here His Lieutenant to rule the Land Trusting that fiercely without fear The scoulding Scots you would withstand Think on your Fathers valiance How fiercely he fought at Bosworth Field Till time that he by Stanley's Lance With grievous wounds his life did yield Would God quoth he my brother Edward Were here alive this present day No foes there could have made him seat'd In Camp here like a coward to stay What Royal fame what high renown Hath he left to his Line and Race What ample fame what great renown If life had lasted longer space The sea he did both scoure and sweep No Pirate proud durst peare in sight Not Pirate John for all his power That great renownad Zodian Knight How oft the Royal Fleet of France In cruel conflict by him was griev'd If he had scap'd that fatal â—â—â—nce What worthy acts by him atchiev'd No multitudes made him dismay'd Nor numbers great his stomack swage Great shame then would to us be laid And to our 〈◊〉 spring in â—â—ch â—ge Your Fathers fame then should be â—ilde His worthy facts should be forgot The chief renown eke of your child Your beastith acts should clear out-blot If ye lie loytering here like lowns And do not sight you Scots again For still we hear how English towns Are burnt and sucking babes are slain And daily they pilser each place And spoils the people all about Wherefore let 's stay no longer space But now step forth with stomack sâ—out The fourth Fit THen th' Earle of Surrey again reply'd And to his son thus gan he say No bashfulness doth make me bide Nor stomack faint doth make me stay The cause is for no cowardize So long time here we make delay And yet I fear this enterprize Will prove no childish sport or play Great counsel therefore must be imbrac'd With good deliberation Our Cards we had both need to count cast Since it lieth on such a weight and fashion Two hardy oft good hap doth hazard And over-bold oft is not best That prove I by my son Sir Edward Which ever was too bold of brest He had been man alive this day If he with counsel wise had wrought But he was drown'd in Bartrumbs bay This end his great boldness him brought My Father at King Richards field Under the Stanley's launce lay slain And I there did a Captive yield Our manhood great got us this gain We might have scap'd that scurvy day If warning could out wits have bet A friend of ours to cause us stay Upon my Fathers gate had set A certain scrall whose scripture said Jack of Norfolk be not too bold And under that in Verse was laid Dick an thy Master is bought and sold My father fighting fierce was slain King Richard reav'd of life and Crown Such goodly guerdon oft they gain Which rashly run to get renown For see the Duke of York was brought At Wakefield to his fatal fall Who might have scap'd if he had wrought The counsel wise of David Hall I read of Conquerors and Kings For lack of Councel cast away Now since at hand such danger hings Our Councel we had need to say It is not I am fright with fear Nor for my self such thought I take But for young babes and infants dear Which fathers sore I fear will lack Such fortune falls through fights doubtless Poore widows plenty shall be left And many a servant masterless And mothers of their sons bereft This is the cause I counsel crave This is the cause I cast such doubts I 'de rather one English souldier save Then for to kill a thousand Scots I can no kind of compasse cast But many a life there must be lost And many a tall man death must taste The Scots are such a mighty host The Prince is there himself present With all his Peers prepar'd for War With Barons Knights and Commons bent A hundred thousand men they