300 
from thence, their way lying through the town of Corbridge, they 
all drew their swords, and in that order marched through it. From 
thence they proceeded to the seat of Mr. Errington, where they 
halted, and the Earl was joined by several other gentlemen, with 
their attendants, and so proceeded in a body to the place appointed, 
where Forster and his party met them. Their company now con- 
sisted of about sixty horse, most of them gentlemen with their 
attendants. They marched to Rothbury, and from thence to 
Warkworth, a small town upon the sea coast, their number still 
increasing as they marched. Here they proclaimed James III., 
which was done by Mr. Forster; and this was the first place in 
England where the Pretender was proclaimed. 
On the roth October they came to Morpeth, where they were 
joined by sixty Scots horse ; so that now they were three hundred 
strong. Here they prepared to march to Newcastle. The Earl of 
Derwentwater ordered his brother, Mr. Radcliffe, to take a party 
of horse, and to go and seize the post at Felton Bridge, which he 
did, without any loss, for indeed, as yet, nobody opposed them. 
However, the rebels were disappointed of their design upon 
Newcastle ; for the townsmen taking alarm, armed, and prepared 
for their defence ; which the rebels being informed of, they turned 
and marched to Hexham, and were joined by some more Scots 
horse. 
While at Hexham they had information that General Car- 
penter, at the head of a considerable body, was come out in pursuit 
of them, and was preparing to attack them. Upon which a council 
of war was held, and Charles Radcliffe proposed to march out and 
fight them, before they had recovered themselves from their long 
marches which they had been obliged to: make. But the other 
leaders did not think this advisable, because most of their men 
were raw and inexperienced, and had never yet faced an enemy, 
whereas the king’s forces were disciplined troops, and had a brave 
general at their head ; and therefore, for the present, it was better 
to avoid fighting till they could get such reinforcements as they 
expected daily to join them. This counsel was taken, and they 
marched forward to meet the forces that were coming to join them 
