University of Virginia Library

[1st ffitt.]

Grant, gracious god grant me this time
that I may say or I cease thy seluen to please,
& Mary his Mother that Masked all this world,
& all the seemlie Saints that sitten in heaven.
I will carpe of Kings that conquered full wide,
that dwelled in this land that was alyes Noble;
Henery the seauenth that soveraigne Lord,
How he moued in at Milford with men but a few.
there were lite Lords in this land that to that Lord longed,
but of derby that deare Earle that doughty hath beene euer,
& the Lord chamberlaine that was his cheefe brother,
Sauage, his sisters sonne a Sege that was able,
& Gylbert the gentle with a Iollye meanye,
all Lancashire, these ladds thé ledden att their will,
& Cheshyre hath them chosen for their cheefe Captaine;
Much worshipp haue thé woone in warre their was of their names
in france & in few lands soe fayre them behappen
sith Brute heere abode & first built vp houses.
Sir James Blunt, that bold Knight he bowed to their hands;
Soe did Sir Edward Poynings that proued was of deeds;
Sir John Biron was neuer afrayd for no burne liuinge,
a more manfull man was not of this Mold maked:
thus with a royall retinewe raked thé forwarde,
On this side Bosworth in a bancke thé bred forth their standards
with a dragon full dearfe that adread was therafter,
rayled full of red roses and riches enowe.
there he bickered with a bore that doughtie was called,
Richard that rich Lord in his bright armour,
he held himselfe no Coward for he was a King Noble,
he fought full freshlie his formen amonge
till all his bright armour was all bloudye beronen.
then was he dungen to death with many derfe strokes,
cast him on a Capull & carryed him to Liester,
& Naked into Newarke I will mine him noe more,
but let drough[t]en deale with all as him deare liketh.
then said Richmond this realme with all the royall cuntrye,
& raigine with royaltie & riches enoughe
full 24 yeeres In this fayre Land.
he made french men afeard of his fell deedes;
they paid him tribute trulie many told thousands,
that thé might liue in their land & him their Lord call.
but death at him droue that die must he needs;
thus went he forth of this world this worship[fful wight]
to the celestiall blisse with Saints enowe.
I will meddle with this matter noe more att this time,
but he that is makeles of mercy haue mind of his soule!
then succeeded his sonne a souerainge most noble,
that proued was a prince most peerlesse of other,
that was Henery the 8th our most dread Lord.
when his father, that feirce freake had finished his dayes,
he made frenchmen afeard & faire him besought
that he wold take their tribute & traine them noe further;
but he nickeed them with Nay & none of it wold,
for he wold see vnder their seigniory some of theIre fayre townes.
thus he greathes him godly with a grat host,
full 15 thousand that feirce was in armes,
for to fare into ffrance att their free will.
then left hee in this land a Leede that was noble,
of surrey that sure Earle the saddest of all other,
as Lord & Leiuetenant to Looke this land over,
if any alyant in his absence durst aduenture him seluen
to visitt or inuade our most valiant realme.
then he dressed him to Dover our most dread King,
with many Lords of this land our Lord giue them Ioy!
of Bucckingham, Duke bold he was a [burn]e Noble,
& of Da[rby] the deere Earle he hath beene doughtie euer,
& Shrewsbury, that sure Earle the saddest of all other,
as a warriour full wise he wends with the vaward;
the Nob[l]e Earle of Northumberlande with others full Many,
thé wende att their will & wrought as them Liiked.
thus thé glenten to Callice with great shipps of warre,
& many a sellcoth saylor where seene on their Masts.
when thé to Callice comen all this seemly Meany,
our Knight full [of] courage carpeth these words,
calleth to his councell to witt their wills
on what wise was best his warre to begine.
some sett him to a Cittye that was sure walled,
& told him of Turwine a towne that was noble
& oft had beene assayd with Emperour & other,
yet wold it neuer be woone in warr for noe way on liue;
there was noe wight in this world that win it nay might,
it was soe deepe deluen with diches about.
then our King full of Courage carped these words,
sayes, “I will seege it about within this 7 dayes,
or win it or I hence win with the leaue of our Lord,
or leaue here my liffe Lord, I you sett.”
thus he promised to the prince [That paradice weldeth.]
there were carryages with carts & many keene weapons.
then they waward ffull valiantlie aduanced them seluen;
with trumpetts & tabretts forward thé wenten;
beside the towne of turwin our tents downe we tilden,
& seeged it surlye on all sides about.
many a gaping gunn was gurde to the walls,
where there fell of the first shott manie a fell ffooder,
that stones that were new sturrd for stoutley they shotten.
now Leaue wee our King lying att this seege,
& carpe of the french King care him be-happen.
when he heard how vnkindly his townes they were halched,
he hyed him to paris for things that might happen;
there called he his councell for to know their minds,
or what wise was best to worke his warrs to begin
he durst not venter with our King he was soe keene Holden,
for all the gloring gold vnder the god of heauen.
then his councell full Keenlye carped on this wise,
says, “make forth a Messenge to the Mightye King of Scotts,
& profer him a present all of pure gold,
& bid him enter into England & venter him seluen;
he may win it in warre & weld it as him liketh;
there is noe leeds in tha[t] land saue Millers & Masse preists,
all were faren into france that fayre were in armes.
then the King called a Earle that wold a lord Noble,
Sir Delamont, that deere Duke that was doughtye euer;
he bad buske him & bowne him to goe on his Message;
he wold as wise of his words as any way else.
then that Knight full courteouslye kneeled to the ground,
saies, “I am bound to goe as ye me bidd wold;”
& tooke his leaue of the King & a letter he taketh,
shoggs into a sure shipp & shoggs ore the water
into Scottland, I you to hett & there the King findeth,
& profered him a present of pounds many a thousand,
for to wend to that warr & worke as him liketh,
& enter into England & weld it for euer:
there is noe Lord in that Land to looke him against,
all were faren into france that feirce were in armes.
the King was glad of that gold that he gan brought,
& promised him full peertly his part for to take,
that his cozen the french King soone shold it know.
then summons he his soeged in sundry places,
that they byde shold at blackator in ther best weeds,
By the [8th: day of August] to know theire Kings mind.
there came at his commandement ketherinckes full many,
from Orkney that Ile there came a great Host,
from Galloway a gay Lord with a great Menie,
all Scottland thither came to know their Kings mind:
many Scotts & Ketherickes bowed to his Hand;
such an host of that Nation was neuer seene before;
their names were numbred to 9 score thousand
truly by their owne tounge as it was told after.
then thé light att a lott the king and his lords,
that the mighty Lord Maxwell shold moue them before
with 10000 by tale that were tryed of the best,
to see wether any seege durst sett him against:
thus he rested in that realme the riggs altogether,
till thé hard of that battell how it with him hapened.
then he bowneth him boldlye ouer the broad waters,
& manlye him Marcheth to the Mill feelde;
he robbeth like a rebell the right him against;
but all Light on his leeds att the latter ends,
for killed they were like Caytiues as you shall here after.
when the commons of the country of this comen wisten,
then fled they for feare soe crulye they fareden,
& made aw[ay with messengers] to tell my Lord dacres
what Mischeefe the fomen made in the march ends;
“but he kee[peth] him in Carleile & keire wold no further,
he wold not Meddle whithose Men for noe mans will.”
then a knight of that countrie that was knowne full wide,
one Sir william Baw-bener that hath beene bold euer,
he moueth towards these Menie with men but a few,
not fully 500 that the freake followed;
then [mett] he with a Man that had 400d:;
that was bold bastard hearne that bastard was neuer,
a warriour full wise & wittye of deedes.
when they were summoned & seene these seeges together,
thé were numbred 900d that was the highest Number
& thé were 10000 by tale vpon the other partye;
ffull vnmeete be them mached Marry them speede!
thus they fared ouer the feild their formen to seeke;
neuer rest wold these rangers but alwaies raked forward
till they had seene that seege that they sought after.
all these scaclech Scotts that alwayes scath diden.
then niiged they nighe that abyde must thé needs
euery ranke to his rest Rudlie [him dressed]
not the mountenance of a Mile from theire most enemyes.
soone after Drayned the day & the dew falleth,
the sun shott vp full soone & shone ouer the feilds,
birds bradd to the bowes & boldly thé songen:
itt was a solace to see for any seege liuinge.
then euery bearne full boldlye bowneth him to his weapons,
full radlye in array royally them dressed.
our english men full merrilye attilde them to shoote,
& shotten the cruell Scots with their keene arrowes;
many horsse in that heape hurled downe his Master;
then they fettled them to flye as false beene thé euer.
that serueth not forsoothe who soe truly telleth,
our English men full eagerlie fast followed after,
& tooke prisoners prest & home againe wenten.
there were killed of the Scotts more then 12 score,
& as many more prisoners were put to ther ransome:
thus were thé beaten att the first brayd all that brawling people,
& likwise in the latter end as yee may here after.

[2d ffitt.]

Then the mightie Lord Maxewell ouer the mountaines flees,
& kered to his King with careful tydings,
telleth him the truth & tarryeth noe longer,
sayth, “I am beaten backe for all my bigg meny,
and there beene killed of the Scotts I know not how many.”
then the Scottish King full nie his witt wanteth,
& sayd, “on who was thou mached man, by the sooth?”
he promised him pertlye thé passed not 1000.
“yee beene cravens,” quoth the King “care mote yee happen!
but Ile wend you to worke wayes I you sett
alonge within that Land the length of 3 weekes,
& destroy all arright that standeth me before:”
thus he promised to the prince that paradice weldeth.
then hee summond his seeges & sett them in order;
the next way to Noram anon then he taketh;
he enclosed that Castle cleane round about,
& they deffended fast the folke that were within.
without succour come soone their sorrow is the more!
the Earle of Surrey himselfe att Pomferett abideth;
he heard what vnhappiness these scarlotts didden;
He made letters boldly all the land over,
into Lancashire beliue he caused a man ryde
to the bishoppe of Ely that bode in those parts,
curteouslye commanded him in the Kings name
to summon the shire & sett them in order;
he was put in more power then any prelate else.
then the Bishopp boldlye bowneth forth his standards
with a Captaine full keene as it was knowne after;
he made away to wend to warne his Deare Brother
Edward, that Egar Knight that epe was of deeds.
a stalke of the Stanleys stepe vpp him seluen,
then full readilye he rayseth Knights ten thousand;
to Scikpton in Crauen then thé comen beliue;
there abydeth he the banner of his deare Brother,
till a Captaine with it came that knowne was full wide,
Sir John Stanley, that stout Knight that sterne was of deeds,
with 4000 feirce men that followed him after,
they were tenants to the booke that tended the bishoppe,
& of his houshold, I you hett hope you none other.
euery bearne had on his brest brodered full fayre
a foote of the fay[res]t fowle that euer flew on winge,
with 3 crownes full cleare all of pure gold:
it was a seemly sight to see them together,
14000 Eagle foote fettered in a-ray.
thus they cooasten thorrow the countrye to the New-castle.
proclamation in that place was plainly declared,
that euery hattell shold him hie in hast that hee might,
to boulton in Glendower all in goodlie haste.
there mett thé a muster then, many a thousand,
with Knights that were keene well knowne in their contry,
& many a louelye Lord vpon that londe hight.
then they moued towards the Mountaine these Meany to seeche,
these scattered Scotts that all they scath didden;
they wold neuer rest but alway raked forward
till they had seene the seeges that they had sought after;
but they had gotten them a ground most vngracious of other,
vpon the topp of a hie hill I hett you forsoothe,
there was noe way in this world might wend them againe
but he shold be killed [in the] close ere he climbed the Mountaine.
when they Lords had on them looked as [long as them liked]
euery Captaine was commanded their company to order.
“tho wee are bashed with this bigg Meany I blame vs but litle,
then wee tild downe ouer tents that told were a 1000;
at the ffoot of a fine hill they setteled them all night,
there they lyen & lodged the length of 4 daies,
till euery Captaine full Keenlie callen to their lords,
bidd them settle them to fight or they wold fare homeward.
there company was clemmed & much cold did suffer;
water was a worthy drinke win it who might.”
then the Lord leiuetenant looked him about,
& boldly vnto battell busked he his meanye.
the Lord Howard, the hende Knight haue shold the vanwarde
with 14000 feirce men that followed him after.
the left winge to that ward was Sir Eward Howarde,
he chose to him Cheshire theire chance was the worse;
because they knew not theire Captaine theire care was the more,
for they were wont att all warr to wayte vppon the stanleys;
much worshipp they woone when they that way serued,
but now lanke is their losse our lord itt amend!
the right wings, as I weene was my lord lumley,
a captaine full keene with Sir Cutberds banner;
my Lord Clifford with him came all in cleare armour;
Soe did Sir william Percy that proued was of deeds,
& Sir william Bawmer that bold hath beene euer,
with many Captaines full keene who-soe knowes their names.
& if I recon the rerward I rest must to longe,
but I shall tell you the best tokens that therevppon tended;
the Earle of Surrey himselfe surelye it guided;
& the Lord Scroope full comlye with knights full many,
he wold witt the wing that to that ward longed;
it was a Bishoppe full bold that borne was att Latham,
of Ely that Elke Lord that eke was of deeds,
& nere of blood to that Earle that named was stanley,
neere of Nature to the Nevills that Noble haue beene euer;
but now death with his dart hath driuen him away;
it is a losse to this land our Lord haue his sonse,
ffor his witt & his wisdome & his wate deeds;
he was a pillar of peace the people amonge;
his servants they may sighe & sorrow for his sake;
what for pitty & for paine my pen doth me fayle;
Ile meddle with this matter noe more att this time,
but he that is maklesse of mercy haue mind on his soule!
then he sent with his company a Knight that was noble,
Sir John Stanley, the stout Knight that sterne was of deeds;
there was neuer bearne borne that day bare him better.
the Left wing to the rereward was my Lord Mounteagle,
with many leeds of Lancashire that to himselfe longed,
which foughten full freshly while the feild lasted.
thus the rere ward in array raked euer after,
as long as the light day lasted one the Lands.
then the sun full soone shott vnder the clouds,
& it darkened full dimlie & drew towards night.
euery ring to his rest full radlye he dressed,
beeten fires full fast & fettlen them to sowpe
besides Barwicke on a banke within a broad woode.
then dauned the [daye] soe deere god ordayned;
Clowdes cast vp full cleerlye like Castles full hie,
then Phebus full faire flourished out his beames
with Leames full light all the land ouer.
all was damped with dew the daysies about,
flowers flourished in the feild faire to behold;
birrds bradden to the boughes & boldlye thé songen;
it was solace to heare for any seege liuing.
then full boldlye on the broad hills we busked our standards,
& on a faugh vs be-side there we seene our enemyes
were mouing ouer the mountaines to macth vs they thoughten,
as boldly as any bearnes that borne was of mothers,
Soe eagerly with Ire attilld them to meete.
they trunmpetts full truly they tryden together,
Many shames in that showe with theire shrill pipes;
heauenly was theire Melody their Mirth to heare,
how thé songen with a showte all the shawes ouer!
there was gurding forth of gunns with many great stones,
Archers vttered out their arrowes and [egerlie they shotten,]
they proched vs with speares & put many over
that they blood out brast at there broken harnish.
theire was swinging out of swords & swapping of headds;
we blanked them with bills through all their bright armor
that all the dale dunned of their derfe strokes.
then betid a checke that the shire men fledden;
in wing with those wayes was with my Lord Dacres,
he ffledd att the first bredd & thé followed after;
when theire Captain was keered away there comfort was gone,
they were wont in all warrs to wayt on the Stanlyes,
they neuer fayled at noe forward that time that they were;
now lost in their loofe our lord it amende!
many squires full swiftly were snapped to the death,
Sir John boothe of barton was brought from his liffe,
a more bolder bearne was neuer borne of woman;
& of yorkshire a yonge Knight that epe was of deedes,
Sir william werkoppe, as I weene was the wyes name,
of the same shire figh will that was soe feirce holden,
besides rotheram that Knighte his resting place hadd.
the barne of Kinderton full keenly was killed them beside,
soe was hauforde, I you hett that was a hend sweere,
ffull-show full fell was fallen to the ground;
Christopher Sauage was downe cast that kere might he neuer;
& of Lancashire, John Laurence god haue mercy on their soules!
these frekes wold neuer flee for noe feare that cold happen,
but were killed lik Conquerors in their Kings service.
when the Scotts & the Ketherickes seene our men scatter,
they had great yoy of their ioyinge & Iolly came downwarde.
the Scotts King keenlie calleth to him a herrott,
biddeth tell him the truth & tarry noe longer,
who where the banners of the bearnes that bode in the valley.
“thé are standards of the stanleys that stands by them seluen;
if he be faren into france the frenchmen to feare,
yett is his standard in that stead with a stiffe Captaine,
Sir Henery Keeglye is called that keene is of deeds.
Sir Thomas Gerrard, that Iolly Knight Is ioyned there vnder
with Sir willi[a]m M[olynex ] with a manfull meany.
these frekes will neuer flee for feare that might happen,
but they will strike with their standards in their steele weeds,
because thé busked them att Barwicke that bolds them the more.
loe how he batters & beates the bird with her wings,
we are feard of yonder fowle soe feircly he fareth;
& yonder streamer full straight that standeth him beside,
yonder is the standard of Saint Towder trow yee noe other,
that neuer beaten was in battell for bearne vppon liue.
the 3d. standard in that steade is my lord Mounteagle,
& of yorkshire ffull epe my yonge Lord Dacerrs,
with much puissance & power of that pure shire.”
then the Scottish King carped these words,
“I will fight with yonder frekes that are soe feirce holden;
& I beate those bearnes the battle is ours.”
then thé moued towards the Mountaine & madly came downwards;
wee mett him in the Midway & mached him full euen;
then was there dealing of dints that all the dales rangen,
many helmes with heads were hewd all to peeces.
this layke lasted on the land the length of 4 houres.
yorkshire like yearne men eagerlye they foughten;
soe did darbyshire that day deered many Scotts;
Lancashire like Lyons Laid them about;
All had beene lost, by our Lord had not those leeds beene;
but the race of the Scotts increased full sore;
but their King was downe knocked & killed in there sight
vnder the banner of a Bishoppe that was the bold standlye.
then they fettled them to flye as fast as they might;
but it serveth not forsooth who-soe truth telleth;
our englishman ffull egerlye after them followed,
& killed them like Caitiues in Clowes all about.
there were killed of the Scotts that told were by tale,
that were found in the feild 15teene: thousand.
loe what it is to be false & the ffeende serve!
they haue broken a bookothe to their blithe Kinge,
& the truce that was taken the space of 2 yeeres.
all the Scotts that were scaped were scattered all assunder;
they remoued ouer the More vpon the other morning,
And [their stoode like stakes] & stirr durst noe further,
for all the lords of their lande were left them behind.
besids brinston in a bryke breathelesse thé lyen,
gaping against the moone theire guests were away.
then the Earle of Surrey himselfe calleth to him a herott,
reade him farr into ffrance with these fayre tydants;
“comende me to our kinge these comfortable words;
tell him I haue restored his realme soe right required;
the King of Scotts is killed with all his cursed Lords.”
when the King of his kindnesse hard these words,
he saith, “I will sing him a sowle knell with the sound of my gunnes.”
such awise, to my Name was neuer hard before,
for there was shott att a shoote 1000 att once,
that all rang with the rout rocher & other.
Now is this ferle feild foughten to an ende!
many a wye wanted his horsse & wandred home a ffoote;
all was long of the Marx men a Mischeefe them happen!
he was a gentleman by Iesu that this iest made,
which say but as he sayd forsooth, & noe other.
att Bagily that bearne ; his bidding place had,
& his Ancetors of old time haue yearded their longe,
Before william Conquerour this cuntry did inhabitt.
Iesus bring vs to blisse that brought vs forth of bale,
that hath hearkned me heare or heard my tale!