the spear-men forth he sprung And fiercely among their foes he flew Where David Hume down dead lay flung And many a Scot that stout did stand With dreadful death they did reward So Haworth through bold Hearons hand Came safe and sound to the Vantgard VVhere the Admiral with strength extent Then in the field fierce fighting was ' Gainst whom in battle bold was bent Two Earles of an Antique race Th' one Crafford call'd th' other Montrosse Who led twelve thousand Scotch-men strong Who manfully met with their foes With leaden meells and lances long Their battering blows made sallet sound There many a sturdy stroak was given And many a Barron brought to ground And many a Banner broad was riven But yet in fine through mighty force The Admiral quit himself so well And wrought so that the Scots had worst For down in field both Earls fell Then the Earl of Surry next by east Most fiercely ' gainst his enemies fought Gainst whom King James in person prest With banners blaised his battle brought Wherein was many a Barron bold And many a Lord of lusty blood And trusty Knight well tried of old And mitered Prelats passing proud With th' Earl of Catnesse and Castell The Earl of Moarton and of Mar With Arell and Adell and Athell Of Bothwell bold and of Clenbar Lord Lovet led a lusty power So Clueston Inderby and Rosse Lord Maxwell with his brethren four With Borthwick Brogginy and Forbos Lord Arskill Sentcleaâ— and simpell With souldiers try'd a mighty some All with the King came down the hill VVith Cowell Kay and Caddie Hume With Captains of Commons stout Above twenty thousand men at least Which with the King most fierce on foot Against their foes then adrest Now th' Earl of Surry on th' English side Incouraged his Souldiers keen Crying good fellows strike this tide Now let your doughty deeds be seen Then spears and pickes to work was put And blows with bils most dure was delt And many a cap of steel through cut And swindging swaps made many svvelt There many a souldier fell in svvound On either side with wounds right sore And many a strong man strucken down Some dying ragiously did roar Then on the Scotch part right proud The Earl of Bothwell then out brast And stepping forth with stomach good Into the Enemies throng he thrast And Bothwell Bothwel cryed bold To cause his souldiers to ensue But there he catcht a welcome cold Th' English men streight down him threw Thus Haburn through his hardy hart His fatal fine in conflict found Now all this while on either part Were delt full many a deadly wound On either side were souldiers slain And stricken down by strength of hand That who could win none weet might plain The victory in doubt did stand The Ninth fit Tiâ—l at the last the Stanley stout Came marching up the mountain steep His folks could hardâ—y fest their feet But forc'd on hands and feet to creep And some their boots left down below That toes might take the better hold Some from their feet the shoes did throw Of true men thus I have heard told The sweat down from their bodies ran And hearts did hop in panting brest At last the mountain top they wan In warlick wise e're Scotchmen wist Where for a space the Stanley staid Till time his folks had taken breath To whom all Sam even thus he said Most hardy mates down from this heath Against our foes fast let us hye Our Country men to comfort and aid With fighting fierce I fear me I Through lingrink long may be o'relaid My Lancashire most lively wights And chosen mates of Cheshire strong From sounding bow your fethered flight Let fiercely fly your foes among March down from this mountain top And brunt of battle let us bide With stomack stout lets make no stop And Stanley stout will be your guid A scourge for Scots my father was He Barwick town from them did gain No doubt so ere this day shall pass His son like fortune shall obtain And now the Earl of Surry sore The Scots I see besets this tiâ—e Now since with foes he fight before Wee 'l suddenly set on their side The noise then made the mountains ring And Stanley stout they all did cry Out went anon the gray goose wing Against the Scots did slickering fly Then showrs of arrows sharp were shot They ratling ran as rank as hail And pierc'd the scalp oâ— many a Scot No shield nor pavish could prevaile Although the Scots at Stanley's name Were stonisht sore yet stout they stood Yet for defence they fiercely fâ—ame And narrow dint with danger boad And when the showre of arrows shot Did somewhat cease within a while That the Earl of Huntley haughty and hot With th' â—arl of Lenox and Argile Lord Boâ—thick Bogginie and Forbâ—sse With them ten thousand Scotchmâ—n strong Though death they endur'd with dâ—nger force Right stoutly yet they stood too 't long Which when the Stanley stout did see Into the tâ—rong he thundring thrast My lovely Lancashire lads quoth he Down with the Scots the day we wast Then foes he forc't to break their ranks Where many a life was lost that while No voice was heard but kill and slay Down goes the Earl of Argile The Earl of Lenox luck was like He fighting fierâ—e was slain that tide So Lord Forbâ—sse Bogginie and Borthwick Upon the bent did breathless bide And so the Earl of Hâ—ntly's hap Had been resembling to the rest But that through skill he made a scape With an English blade he had been blest But he by hap had a horse at hand On whom he skowring scap't away Else doubtlesse as the case did stand On Floddan hill he had dyed that day After these Lords were fallen and sled And companies left captain-lesse Being sore stonisht in that stead Did fall to flight both more and lesse Whom Stanley gits his total strength Persuâ—d right sore down on the plain Where on the King he light at length Which fighting was with all his main When his approach the King perceived With stomack stout he him withstood His Scots right bravely them behaved And boldly there the battle bode But when the English arrows shot On each part did so pierce and gall That eâ—re they came to handy stroaks A number great on ground did fall The King himself was wounded sore An arrow fierce in his for head light That hardly he could fight any more The blood so blemisht his sight Yet like a warrier stout he said And fiercely did exhort that tide His men to be nothing dismaid But battaile boldly there to bide But what avail'd his valour great Or bold device all was but vain His Captains keen faild at his feet And Standard Bearer down was slain Th' Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews brave King James his son in base begot That doleful day did death receive With many lusty Lord like Scot. As the Earle of Catness and Castel Marton and Fiarr for all their power The Earle of Arel and Athel Lord Maxwel with his brethren four And last of all among the lave King James himself to death was brought Yet by whose fact few could perceive But Stanley still most like was thought After the King and Captain slain The Commons straight did fall to flight The Englishmen pursued a main And never ceased while Sun gave light Then the Earle of Surrey made to sound A Trumpet for to retreat anon And Captains caus'd to keep their ground Till morrow next while night was done But th' English Souldiers all that night Although they weary were with roylâ— The Scotchmen costly slain in fight Of Jewels rich spared not to spoyle The Corps of many worthy wight They uncase of his comely aray And many a Barron brave and Knight Their bodies there naked lay The carcase of the King himself Bare naked was left as it was born th' Earle then could not know it well Searching the same upon the Morne Until Lord Dacres at the last By certain signs did him bewray The Corps then in a Cart being cast They to New-Castle did convey· Great store of Guns and Warlike geare Whereas the field was fought they found Which they to Barwick then being near And to New-Castle carryed round The certaine Summe being searched out Twelve thousand Scots dyed in that stead On th' English side were slain about Some fifteen hundred as we read Yet never a noble man of fame But Bryan Tunstal bold alas Whose Corps home to his burial came With worship great as worthy was This field was foughten in September In Chronicles as may be seen In the year of God as I remember One thousand five hundreth and thirteen Praconia Post funera manent FINIS
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