43 2 ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 



pledges were reftorecl by K Richard I. It remained as an appen- 

 dage to Scotland, till the reign of K. Edtuard I. That victorious 

 monarch, on the death of King Alexander, held a parliament at 

 it for the election of his fucceflbr, 1292. Among the powerful 

 competitors, were William de Vefcy, baron of Alnivick, William de 

 /vac, baron of Wark, upon Tweed, John Ballot and Robert Bruce. 

 John Ballol was. chofen (g). He did homage to Edward for his 

 crown at Newcajlle, in the fame year, 2 6th December, on St. 

 Stephen's day (h). In a little time he broke his oath of fealty. In- 

 cenfed at his perjury, K. Edward inverted Berwick with a large 

 fleet and army. His fleet confided of twenty-four fhips j his 

 army, of 4000 horfe, and 30,000 foot, befides 5000 horfe, and 

 1000 foot, of the biflioprick of Durham. The townfmen burnt 

 three or four of his fhips, and forced the reft out of the harbour. 

 By the bravery of his troops, and his manoeuvres, he was an 

 overmatch for his enemiej, and made great flaughter. This 

 victory he obtained in the 24th year of his reign, 1296. It is 

 faid about fifteen thoufand Scotchmen were killed, at leaft, and 

 not above twenty-eight Engl'i/Jjmen. A commercial building, called 

 The R<'d Hall, belonging to a company of Flemi/Jj merchants, 

 fortified in the form of a tower, was reduced to afhes, with 

 thirty of them in it, on their refufmg to furrcnder. He lodged 

 in the caftle fifteen days. He encompaffcd the town with 

 a ditch, eighty feet broad, and as many in depth. The furren- 



(g) Apud Bcrivyke fuper Tweetlam, in au!a caftri ejufdem villae, in pleno Parliamento, 

 &c. Vid. Mat 



Rym. Feed. torn. ii. 

 Afla Rpgia. vol. i. 8vo. p. 66, &c. 

 'Biadys Compl. Hift. vol. ii. App. No. Ii. 



(f>) Rym. Foed. torn, ii p. 600. 



Regia. vol. ii. 8vo. p. 72, 73. 



