SHP.EWSBVRY. 239 



even with his Inferior force. The fight commenced 

 early in the morning, and after a violent ftruggle of 

 three hours, Percy's party was completely routed, 

 and himfelf, and about five thoufand of his men, 

 were flain. The earls of Worcefler and Douglas 

 were taken prifoners, the former of whom was foon 

 afterwards beheaded at ShrewfDury. — -The fcene of 

 this contention was a place fince called Battlefield, 

 in the parifh of Albrighton, about three miles diftant. 



One of the ordinances made by Alcock, bifliop 

 of Worcefter, and Anthony, earl Rivers, in April 

 147S5 for the government of Shrev^^fbury, was as 

 follows : 



" Firfi: that the bayliflfs for the time beinge iuftly, 

 truly and endifferently fhall execute their offices, 

 accordinge to their liberties and laudable cuitomes, 

 without any corruption favor or parcialide. And 

 that they fee yf any perfon come into the towne 

 there abydinge two days fufpicioufly, without any 

 lawfuU errand or occupacion, that then he the third 

 daye be putt in prifon there to remayne till he have 

 founde furety of his good abearing ; or els to auoyde 

 the towne." Any perfon 10 committed by the war- 

 den, and four men, was not to be declared out of 

 ward by the bailiffs without confent of the fame 

 warden and four men. Thefe injundlions were to 

 be obeyed, under the penalty of a hundred pounds, 

 half to be paid- to the lung, and the remainder to 

 the town *. 



* Cotton MSS. In the Bntlfii Mufeum j VUuUius, C. f. 



In 



