A HISTORY OF DURHAM 



have been bad indeed, for the only hope of protecting it from Scottish in- 

 roads lay in a vigorous offensive. As to numbers it is difficult to give any 

 reliable estimate, but at the battle of Lewes no fewer than eighty-five knights, 

 all dwelling within the Palatinate, took part. As the list '"* of these knights 

 gives their place of residence it is possible to ascertain their distribution 

 throughout the county. They appear to have been principally resident in 

 the southern and eastern districts, whereas Bishop Hatfield's Survey shows 

 that military tenure was most pronounced in the north-west portion of 

 the county — the part which was most exposed to the Scottish inroads. 

 The difference may possibly be accounted for by the desire that the most 

 vulnerable part of the county should not be left defenceless when the main 

 body of knights went south to Lewes, and that some of the knights resident 

 on the frontier were, therefore, left for its protection. In addition to his 

 feudal tenants the bishop could call on (as he did in 1322)^"° all the able 

 bodied men of his liberty between the ages of sixteen and sixty. This was 

 an unusual step apparently, and the more general plan was to call upon each 

 township to provide a certain quota ^"^ or appoint commissioners to raise a 

 certain number of men.^"^ The numbers raised in this way for service against 

 the Scots were sometimes considerable. In 13 13 writs were issued for 1,500 

 archers,"* and later in the century (1335) the number of archers was reduced 

 to 300, but in addition 200 hobelers had to be raised, the writ requiring each 

 of the latter to be provided with a horse, hand sword, and light armour."* 

 What the total armed force of the Palatinate amounted to is doubtful. 

 Froissart, not a very reliable authority where numbers are concerned, 

 described the bishop in 1388 as being at the head of 7,000 men, namely, 

 2,000 mounted and 5,000 foot."° The nature of the service demanded from 

 the general body of the inhabitants may be seen from a report in 1591 by 

 Sir William Bowes on Barnard Castle, which he describes as being within 

 the wardenry of the East March towards Scotland. ' The inhabitants 

 are all bound to fourteen days' service in their proper persons of their 

 owne charges at the borders uppon an houre's warninge.' '" 



The command of the Palatinate forces was vested in the bishop, and men 

 like Bek assumed the actual command. In 1343, when Bury, certainly not a 

 military character, was bishop, a royal mandate was addressed to the prior of 

 Durham to collect as many men-at-arms as he could and proceed to the 

 Marches to repel an expected invasion."^ In general, however, the bishop 

 entrusted the command and direction of his troops to his principal feudal 

 tenants. Bishop Fordham's roll for 1386 included a payment to Sir William 

 Bowes and three other knights by way of retainer in peace and war."' They 

 would form the bishop's military staff. 



Having dealt with what may be called the field army, the castle of Dur- 

 ham and its garrison have to 'oe considered. From its foundation the city of 

 Durham had been a fortress. In addition the castle was a great arsenal, and 



>" Hatfield's Surv. (Surtees Soc), xiv. 



"" Rvmer, Foedera, v (3), 964, printed Hutchinson, op. cit. i, ^28. 



"•^ Ke/law's Reg. (Rolls Ser.), i, 17. 



"" Lapsley, op. cit. 306. "' Kef/atv's Reg. (Rolls Ser.), iv, 112. 



"" Ibid. 191-2. "° Froissart, op. cit. 453. 



"' Surtees, Hist. Diir. iv, 56 ; also suj>ra, p. 149. 



"* Kellaw, op. cit. iv, 250. '" Hatfield's Survey (Surtees Soc), 267. 



150 



