Rev. R, Jones on the Battle of Flodden Field. 867 



whicli alliance we might conclude that there would be peace 

 between the two kingdoms ; but from the first day of his 

 ascending the Scottish throne, his affection and interest, 

 counsel and influence turned to the old ally of his kingdom — 

 the king of France. Henry, who had proclaimed war, and 

 made every preparation for carrying it into effect, was on the 

 eve of invading the French territory, his forces were collected 

 together, and his ships were ready for their embarkation. 

 He had however, previous to his departure from England, ap- 

 pointed Thomas Earl of Surrey, Lieutenant-General of the 

 northern counties, advising him to use all diligence and cau- 

 tion, and to neglect nothing that would tend to the welfare 

 and security of his kingdom, for he had well grounded 

 suspicions, that the king of Scotland was secretly preparing 

 an army, either to assist the king of France, or to make 

 inroads into his kingdom with a view of invading it during 

 his absence. 



In the meantime James had done all he possibly could to 

 persuade Henry to remain in England ; but unfortunately all 

 his entreaties were in vain. Whereupon he instantly pro- 

 claimed war against England, well knowing that by so doing 

 he should weaken the strength of Henry's army, by compel- 

 ling him to send sufficient force to protect the northern parts 

 of his kingdom. His plans were no sooner devised than they 

 were put in execution. Scotland sounded with the clang of 

 the hammer from north to south, and from east to west : men 

 were resolute and determined — full of heroic ardour for 

 their king and country and for their own personal glory. 

 Once more were their swords, spears, axes, and arrows 

 sharpened and burnished for the deadly combat, after hav- 

 ing lain for nearly a generation bygone, in the dust and 

 cobweb of their own mountain and lowland homes. The herald 

 of war sent by their beloved king had passed throughout the 

 length and breadth of the land, summoning the men capable 

 of bearing arms to meet him in the course of three weeks. 

 This summons was obeyed by every man with alacrity, cheer- 

 fulness, and delight. Bannockburn with all its glory, and 

 with all its results, was the watchword which passed from 

 town to town, from mountain to mountain, and rested nightly 

 on the compressed lips of all, who had girded on the sword 

 for the battle strife. One hundred thousand men met to- 

 gether in this short space of time, fully equipped and accoutred, 

 on the Borough Moor, near Edinburgh, with provisions for 

 forty days, ready at the word of their king to march and to 



2 Aa 



