592 BYLAND ABBEY. 



tered with the Scots at Byland abbey, 15 days after 

 Michaelmas, and there the English were discom- 

 fitted. And there John of Bretayne, earl of Rich- 

 mond, enemy to Thomas Lancastre, was taken pri- 

 soner, and after being delivered for a great ransom 

 went into France, and never returned into England 

 again. Strait upon this was Sir Andrew (Harcla,) 

 earl of Carlisle, attainted for conspiracy, with 

 James Douglass the Scot, whereby the Englishmen 

 for lack of Harkeley (Harclas) ready help, vanqui- 

 shed in battle at the abbey of Byland, and judged 

 to be hanged, drawn and quartered at Carlisle, as 

 Thomas of Lancaster prophesied of him. And this 

 was done the last day of October in the year 1322, 

 and this day the sun changed in the morning to a 

 bloody colour, and so endured till 11 o'clock. 

 Collect, ii. p. 466. 



We perceive from this account, the dreadful state 

 of this part of the country at that time. It seems 

 from other accounts that the king made a hasty re- 

 treat from the north, and in his flight went to By- 

 land Abbey, and was surprized by the Scots when 

 he was at dinner there. In consequence of this 

 surprize he left the abbey hastily, leaving behind 

 him in his hurry, his plate, money, privy seal, 

 and other treasures, which fell into the hands of his 

 enemies ; and it was with difficulty he escaped to 

 York, by way of Bridlington, by the swiftness of 

 his horse. The Scots proceeded from place to place 

 plundering as they went ; they burnt the monas- 

 ery of Ripon in their progress, and plundered the 

 abbey of Beverley. Edward penetrated into Scot- 



