358 HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 



hangeth great weights upon small wires, there fell 

 out a trifling and untoward accident, that drew on 

 great and happy effects. During the truce with 

 Scotland, there were certain Scottish young gentle 

 men that came into Norham town, and there made 

 merry with some of the English of the town ; and 

 having little to do, went sometimes forth, and would 

 stand looking upon the castle. Some of the garrison 

 of the castle, observing this their doing twice or 

 thrice, and having not their minds purged of the late 

 ill blood of hostility, either suspected them, or quar 

 relled them for spies: whereupon they fell at ill 

 words, and from words to blows ; so that many were 

 wounded of either side, and the Scottish men, being 

 strangers in the town, had the worst ; insomuch as 

 some of them were slain, and the rest made haste 

 home. The matter being complained on, and often 

 debated before the wardens of the marches of both 

 sides, and no good order taken: the King of jScot- 

 land took it to himself, and being much kindled, 

 sent a herald to the king to make protestation, that 

 if reparation were not done, according to the con 

 ditions of the truce, his king did denounce war. 

 The king, who had often tried fortune, and was 

 inclined to peace, made answer, that what had been 

 done, was utterly against his will, and without his 

 privity ; but if the garrison soldiers had been in 

 fault, he would see them punished, and the truce in 

 all points to be preserved. But this answer seemed 

 to the Scottish king but a delay, to make the com 

 plaint breathe out with time ; and therefore it did 



