Chap. I. How the Pierces had that Name, and came to be Earls of Northumberland; how this Lord Piercy, the third Earl of the Descent in King Henry the Second's Reign, made a Vow to hunt three Days in Chevy-Chase, and with his Archers passed the Tweed.

THe noble Family of the Pierces, Earl of Northumberland, have had a high Esteem amongst the English Nobility, and for their Valour and noble Exploits famed not on­ly in our History, but throughout the World: I might give you a large account of the Descent of that noble Earl, who is to be a chief part of the Subject of the following Story; however, by the way, I must tell you, that History records him for the fortunate Valour of a couragious Knight, who kill'd the King of Scots by running his Spear into his Eye as he was besieging Roxborough Castle, and his other Name was chang'd, and that of Piercy given together with the Earldom of Northumberland, and to the first Earl. This Earl, of whom I now treat, was Grand-son and Heir both of his Virtues and Valour. But to come nearer to the in­tended Purpose: The noble Earl of Northumberland taking his Progress, gallantly attended with fifteen hundred stout Archers, passed on to the Marches of Scotland, of which by Commission from the King, he was to have been Lord-Lieutenant, and wish­ing for some Venison at a Dinner, he was informed that in a cu­rious Forrest beyond the Tweed, called Chevy-Chase, belonging to Earl Dowglas, a Scotch Nobleman, there was such Store of it that the like was in no part of the Kingdom; and Provision being scarce on the English side on those Borders, this Report made his Men so forward, that they desired they might go out in Par­ties, and bring as much as they could away undiscovered: But he despising such a way that look'd too much like Deer-stealing, told them, if their Courage was sufficient to venture for it fairly, [Page]he would venture with them; and so hunting it down as a fair Game, it should be brought off with Honour as a lawful Prize taken in an Enemy's Country: For then King Henry the Second of England, in whose Reign it hapned, there was a Rupture with the Scots, though there had been for a while an Interval or Cessation of Arms.

To this Motion of the Noble Earl's they gave their unani­mous Consent by throwing up their Caps, with a loud Shout: and so the Earl made a vow. That for three Days he would take his Pleasure in hunting on Chevy-Chase; and thereupon sending for his Dogs and Toils, early on a Midsummer Morning they passed the Tweed, and were by a Guide directed to the Place, which was about six Miles nearer Edenborough: So to the Game they went; The Dogs were put in to rouse the Harts, the Horns founded, and the Huntsmens Shouts, with the Dogs Cries made a pleasant Noise; yet the Villagers thinking it had been the Sound of War on some sudden Invasion, were so terrified, that many of them fled with what they could carry away, for fear of being plunder'd; and with their groundless Fears alarm'd the Country many Miles, putting all into a Consternation and Confusion.

Chap. II. How they killed a great many Deer; and at Supper­time Earl Dowglas sent a threatning Message to command them to depart; and the stout Answer Earl Piercy returned: Also the Preparations for the Fight made on both sides.

THe Harts and Roes, though as swift in their running as the Wind, could not, however outstrip the English Arrows, our Archers laying some Scores of them on the Ground, so that they had killed such store of Venison, that they began to be in doubt how they should be able to carry it away. This happen­ed on the first Day; yet having refreshed themselves with the fat Haunches and Sides in the Evening, making Fires, and roast­ing it in the Forrest, there being such a number of them, they sound their Store much lessened.

But whilst the Earl was at Supper with divers Knights, Es­quires and Gentlemen, on a Table of Boards laid on Supporters of Turf, and sitting on Seats raised on Turf-banks, such Accom­modation as the rural Place would afford, at the Close of it, just as he was about to give Order to the Huntsmen to begin the Sport the next Morning with the Sun-rising, in came a Messenger in a scarlet Livery, laced with Gold, and a Badge of Arms on a Plate of Silver, fastned on his Breast: This spoke him to be sent by some Person of Quality; whereupon the Earl commanding Silence, demanded from whom he came, or what his Business was. Upon which he thus began with a haughty Mein:

This being denounc'd, he was about to depart, but the undaunt­ed Earl Piercy taking him by the Sleive, said, It is but convenient you should carry an Answer back to your Lord; And that is this, Tell him my Name is Piercy, a Name at which Scotland has trembled; and that I am of so true English Courage, that Threats are in vain to terrifie me. Tell him moreover, I have proposed to take my Plea­sure in these Forrests and Chases for two Days longer; and if he be Valiant, as you say, let him hinder my Sport if he be so bold as to attempt it, at the Hazard of his Life.

Upon this, the Messenger departed with speed to the Scotch Earl, who lay at Edenborough, and related what was given him in Charge by Earl Piercy; at which the Scotch Man stormed and fretted, walking up and down in a great Fury, muttering Revenge, and all manner of Punishments on those he should take Prisoners; he diligently enquired the Number of the English: But the Messenger could give him no certain Account, only guessed (for many of them were in distant Parts of the Wood, when he delivered what he had in Charge) there might be [Page]about ten or twelve hundred Men; whereupon he ordered his Horse and Armour, which was guilded with Gold, to be got ready against Morning-light; also all his Friends and Servants, together with as many as made up two thousand Spear-men to be mustered; without letting them know what Design he had in hand; however, they disputed not to obey him, as having next the King the chief Command of the Kingdom.

Chap. III. How the Earl Piercy begun the second Day's Hunt­ing; but upon Notice of Dowglas's Approach, he called in the Hunters, drew up his M [...]n, and made a famous Speech to encou­rage them, and received their unanimous Shouts in Conclusion.

THe noble Earl of Northumberland, though in an Enemy's Country far from any Succour, yet relying on his own, and his Mens Courage, who were the choicest Archers of Eng­land, was so far from being daunted, though he might reasona­bly expect a greater Number against him, that he ordered the Tables a second time to be spread, and Store of Wine went round, which they had brought with them in great Plenty. Healths went round to the King, the Earl, and to the Prosperity of their Sport the next Day; and then seting scouts, reposed themselves.

The Sun no sooner gilded our Horizon with his saluting Rays of Light, and the early Lark mounting on high, turned her me­lodious notes, but the Sport was renew'd and the Woods, Forrest, Plains and Hills resounded with the pleasing Noise of Hounds and Men; so that altogether they made a very curious Harmo­ny. This Morning they killed a very stately Hart, the largest that had been seen in the Kingdom; whereupon the Huntsmen run to call the Earl to the Quarry that he might be pleased at the sight; which accordingly he was present at; protesting he had never seen the like in his Life. Then remembring the Message sent him over Night, he turned to a Knight on his left Hand, saying, The time, Sir Knight, draws near, that if Earl Dowglas ke [...]ps his Word, we shall have another kind of Sport to under take; [Page]he promised this Morning to make us a Visit: Therefore let it be your Care to keep our Men together, that they scatter not, lest some of them may be surpriz'd and oppressed by Odds of Number, for Man to Man, said he, I fear th [...]m not against any Nation under Heaven: But if I thought he would not come, we would remove hence to the next Forrest, for thither, I perceive, most of the Deer, frighted from this Forrest, are fled. He had no sooner uttered these Words, but his Esquire, Witherington by Name, came hastily to him, say­ing, My Noble Lord, Cause the Dogs immediately to be called off, and muster up your bold Archers; for from yonder Hill I saw Earl Dowglas coming directly towards you, though yet about two Miles di­stant, having a great Troop of Spear-men, which I cannot guess less than two Thousand.

I thank thee heartily, replyed the Earl, for this News; and doubt not thy Courage, which I have seen tryed in so many Dangers. At this the Esquire bowing low, said, My Lord, I doubt not so to behave my self this Day, that living or dead, I shall be remembered to future Ages.

Immediately hereupon the Horns blew a Retreat, the Dogs were called off, the Toils taken up, and the valiant Archers mustered about their noble Leader; who fired their Courage with the following Oration:

Having said thus much, they all shouted so loud in token of Consent and lively Courage, that the Hills and Dales sent back the Ecchoes of their Voice, and immediately fell into Order, pruning their Arrows, and new-stringing their Bows made of trusty Yew.

Chap. IV. How Earl Dowglas bravely mounted, and in gilded Armour, came down with his Men into Chevy Chase; how a single Combat between the two Earls, to save their Mens Lives, was proffered, but hinared by Witherington.

THe bold English Archers in number fifteen hundred, were no sooner in Readiness, but Earl Dowglas appeared on the Top of the Hill that descended into the Plain whereon Earl Piercy stood, mounted on a stately White Steed, and his gilded Armour reflecting the Sun-beams shewed very gloriously, and his Men immediately appeared in order behind him, with their glittering Spears, so that their number was computed just two thousand.

Upon this Earl Piercy taking a Leading-staff in his Hand, and a trusty Sword by his side, caused his Men to move forward by slow paces, whilst he marched in the Front: By this time Earl Dowglas being come within forty Paces, sternly demanded, Whose Men they were that durst so boldly presume to hunt in his Forrest, and kill his Deer; and that whoever they were, since they had dar'd to do it, they must expect to be severely punished; commanding them to yield immediately as his Prisoners, if they expected Mercy from him.

Upon this the noble English Earl, enraged with a generous Fury and Disdain, ordering his Men to halt, went nearcr, saying, Earl Dowglas, it matters not whose Men we are; but such you will find us, that what we have done, we will justifie, and what Deer we have kill'd, we will carry away, or leave our own Bodies dead behind us, which shall cost very dear in the Blood of those that dare oppose us.

This being spoken with an undaunted Resolution, made Dow­glas grow a little calmer; O, said he, I know thee, Lord Piercy; [Page]now thou art a Peer, an Earl as well as I; therefore if thou art as Brave as Fame reports thee, what need we destroy our Men by in­gaging them in this Combate, the Quarrel being properly between you and me; let our Swords decide it in single Combate?

This unexpected Offer overjoyed the Noble Piercy, and draw­ing his victorious Sword, bid Defiance to the Challenger, wish­ing those accursed, that hindred this Agreement. But it could not be, Fate had involved many more Lives in this Quarrel than the two Earls; for Witherington, a valiant English Squire, standing by the Earl when this Combate was about to begin, elapt be­tween them with his Sword, and made a Stand, saying, My noble Lord, it shall never be told to Henry our King to shame us, that we let you fight, under whose Command we are, whilst we stood looking on: How should we be reproached with Cowardice, if this were suffer­ed or known? With hearts and bands we are ready to live or dye in your Cause; and therefore whilst I am able to stand, more Swords than two shall try it. Earl Piercy, though grieved at this Hindrance, seeing all his Men resolute, and of the same Opinion, crying out, They would not hazard their noble Earl in single Combate, but fight with him, and for him, to the last Drop of their blood; found him self constrained to yield to their Importunities; and so both sides immediately were ordered to make ready for the Battle.

Chap. V. How the mortal Battle began by the English Archers, who slew sixty Scots at the first Flight of Arrows, and continued with such Fury, that all the place was paved with dead, and dying Men; how the two Earls after a cruel Fight were slain, with the manner of it, &c.

THe English Archers on the left Division immediately sent a Flight of fatal Arrows, which laid threescore of the Scots dead on the place; and the right Division letting fly on the Flank of their Battalion, gauled them most miserably, Earl Dowglas see­ing his Men discouraged to be killed so at distance, and that ano­ther Vollue might put them into Disorder, commanded them speedily to advance, and come to a close Fight; by which means he thought to tender the English Bows, which was their chiefest [Page]Weapons, useless; but in this he was deceived, for they kept such excellent Order, that whenever the Front opened, the Ar­chers behind feather'd the Scots with Showers of deadly Ar­rows, whilst the others kept them in play with their Swords; however, both being furious, they fought desperately, inso­much that the Ground was cover'd with dead, and dying Men, Arrows, shivers of Spears, broken Swords, and streams of Blood; nothing was heard but confus'd Noises, Groans and Cries.

And now Earl Piercy being backed by divers Knights and Esquires, Men at Arms, &c. out of the Tops of the Enemy's Spears pointed against him, and like a Tempest broke in amongst them with such Fury and Slaughter, that he laid heaps of dead on either hand, and before him, so that his way was in a manner stoped with the Carcasses of the Slain, which raised a great Cry about him, insomuch that Earl Dowglas, who was fighting on the other side, and had signaliz'd his Valour very much, was forced to give over, and come to the succour of his broken For­ces; where these two Earls met like two enraged Lyons; no Armour was Proof against their Well-temper'd Swords, so that by the mighty stroaks they gave each other, it fell Piece-meal to the Ground; the Place they fought on was sprinkled with noble Blood; and Earl Dowglas hereupon beginning to faint, yet ashamed to yield, thus bespake Earl Piercy:

Noble Lord, You see your Blood flows fast, and Death you cannot 'scape, if you contend with me much longer; I there­fore in pity to your Life, would have you yield yourself my Pri­soner; you shall be nobly used, and I'll prefer you with James our King, by making him sensible of your Worth and Cou­rage.

To this Earl Piercy replyed with a sorrowful smile, As for my Life, take you no care, but surely guard your own; my Ho­nour I prefer before all things on Earth, and it never shall be said, that Piercy yielded to a Scot. Whilst they paus'd a little on these Words, and were again renewing the Fight, and Ar­row coming from among the Ranks of the Archers, ended that [Page]Combat, by piercing Earl Dowglas to the Heart; who thereup­on falling to the Ground, his last Words, with a faint and dying Voice, were, Fight on my merry Men, revenge my Death, for I am slain, and Piercy lives to see me fall.

The noble Earl Piercy on the fall of brave Dowglas by such an unwished, or unexpected way, was much troubled for his Death, and to be deprived of the Honour of the Conquest he expected, laboured to raise him from the Ground, that he might send him out of the Battle, to have his Wounds dressed, if peradventure his Life might be in him; but finding him dead, he much be­moaned him, commending, like a generous Enemy, his Va­lour, and wishing he had, or could have done any thing to save him: But whilst he was lamenting his Death, his own was near at hand; for the noise being carried through the Battle, that Earl Dowglas was slain; Sir Hugh Montgomery, who was Dowglas's chief Favourite, putting his Spears in his Wrest, and vowing Revenge, broke through the Rank, and whilst the no­ble Piercy's Thoughts were imploy'd on the dead Earl, he came behind him at Unawares and run him quite through the Body, so that he fell on Earl Dowglas; and only having time to encou­rage his Men, gave up the Ghost: But was not long unreveng'd, for an English Archer perceiving what had happened, drew an Arrow up to the head, which proved a sure Messenger of Death, for it passed quite through Montgomery's Body, so that the Fea­thers of the Arrow were wet in his Heart's Blood.

Chap. VI. How the Battle, after the Death of the noble Chiefs, continued till but fifty five of the Scots, and fifty three of the Eng­lish, were left alive, it holding a whole Summer's Day; of the Lamentation the Widows made over their dead Husbands, and the Revenge for the Earl's death, &c.

THough the Chiefs were slain, the Fight continued with great Fury, being spurred on with Courage and Desire of Revenge, either side scorning to yield, though the Sun declined, and Night was hasting on a pace, it having held almost a whole [Page]Summer's Day, till in the end those few that were left alive, were so wounded and wearied, that they were constrained to part by Consent: Eighteen hundred forty three of the Scots be­ing killed, so that of the two Thoufand there remained but fif­ty five; and of the English but fifty three, so fatal and despe­rate were these two small Armies, contending for the Honour of cither Nation, more than for any thing else. Witherington e­specially in this Action behaved himself as he had promised, for a Scot coming behind him with a mighty broad Sword, and cutting his Legs off, he raised himself on his bleeding Stumps with his Hands, and pierced his Enemy, who had so wounded him to the Heart, and so continued fighting, till through loss of Blood, he fainted and dyed.

Besides these of Note dyed in this Battle, Sir John Ogerton, Sir. Robert, Sir John, and Sir James Ratcliff, three valiant Brothers, and of a noble Family; also Sir George, and Sir James Tyrell, Father and Son, and Sir Ralph Raby, all gallant English Men.

And of the Scots of Note besides Sir Hugh Montgomery, Sir Charles Currel, Sir Charles Murrel, and his Sister's Son also, Sir David Lamb, a Man Valiant, and of great Council, much be­loved by the whole Nation; but nothing in this mortal Battle could rescue him from Death; there fell likewise the Lord Mark­well, Lord of a Clan in the High-lands of that Name. Nor was this Few'd scarce ended when the Bell rung to Evening-song, the woful News of this bloody Day being known to the Widows of these Persons that were slain, they came running with doleful Cries, torn Hair, and Garments, each searching among the Dead for her Husband's Corps; and no sooner finding it, but fal­ling on it, kissed the cold Lips a hundred times, and bathed the pale Face in Tears, with such piteous Cries and Groans, as would have pierc'd any Heart to have heard: But the Extremi­ty of Sorrow being over, the dead Bodies were removed, and decently buryed according to their Degree; the whole King­dom of Scotland Mourning for the loss of Earl Dowglas, and so many valiant Men with him on so trivial a Quarrel; the King af­firming, that he had not such another brave Man in his Kingdom, [Page]This sad News coming to King Henry's Court, he was sorry for it, declaring the Earl Piercy to be a very brave Man, yet doubt­ed not but he had within his Realm five hundred as brave and valiant Men as he; yet sent for his Body, and caused it honoura­bly to be interred amongst his Ancestors; vowing however to re­venge his Death on the Scottish Nation; and so concluding his Wars with France, he entered the Country with a great Army, wasting it with Fire and Sword, which War continued for many Years, till the Queen of Scots dying, the King of Scots mar­ryed King Henry's Daughter, which put an end to it during his Reign.