BYLAXD ABBEY. 



391 



this abbey, discovered a tesselated pavement in a 

 high state of preservation, specimens of which are 

 still to be seen on the east end of the ruins. 



The principal entrance to the abbey yet remains, 

 a representation of which is here given.- 



Near this building in the reign of Edward II., 

 was fought a most bloody battle between the Eng- 

 lish and the Scots, which is called the battle of 

 Byland Abbey, and is thus related by Leland. 



Edward II. in 1322, advanced from Pomfret, 

 towards Scotland, but the Scots kept so long in the 

 woods, mountains, and moors, that famine and mur- 

 muring broke out in the king's host. Edward see- 

 ing famine and death in his host, recoiled James 

 Douglass, and Thomas Randolph, captains of the 

 Scots, under Bruce, king of Scotland, seeing this, 

 made a great road into Northumberland, and des- 

 troying the country about, went forth to Northal- 

 lerton, and burnt it. And king Edward seeing this 

 raised his host beyond the Trent, and they encoun- 



