368 Ecv. R. Jones on the Battle of Floddcn Field. 



follow him to whatever part he Avished to lead them. In 

 this numher, however, we must include the attendants and 

 camp-followers, the usual train concomitants of an army, and 

 not consider them all as fighting men. 



The news of these warlike preparations stirred up the 

 Border blood to feverish heat ; men felt themselves carried 

 away by restlessness and excitement, every one was ready for 

 revenge, and panted for conquest and for glory. Under these 

 overpowering feelings a band of Northumbrians, commanded 

 by one of their chiefs, crossed the Tweed and entered Scot- 

 land, and as a prelude to the war, commenced hostilities by 

 burning and pillaging, and carrying off considerable spoil. 

 This daring act of depradation so aggravated the Warder of 

 the Marches, Alexander Lord Home, who had this part of 

 the country under his more immediate protection and guard- 

 ianship, that he hastily got together 3000 horsemen, crossed 

 the Tweed, laid the northern parts of Northumberland under 

 contribution, burned several of the villages and amassed much 

 plunder, which many of this marauding party carried off in 

 safety to their own country. But as Lord Home and the rest 

 of his men were returning in a careless manner loaded with 

 spoil, through the woody country between Wooler and Mil- 

 field, they were suddenly surrounded by a large force of 

 horse-archers and bowmen, under the command of Sir Wil- 

 liam Bulmer, who had concealed themselves amongst the 

 trees and tall broom, through which the path lay that Home 

 and his straggling horsemen Avere drowsily trotting their 

 jaded steeds over. 



This conflict was short, sharp, and deadly, but decisive. 

 Four hundred were killed, many of them before they saAv 

 their enemy, or heard the twang of the bow that sent the 

 messenger of death amongst them. More than two hundred 

 were taken prisoners, amongst whom was George, the brother 

 of Lord Home, who had accompanied him in this Border-raid. 

 He however and the rest of his men fied with precipitation to 

 the banks of the river, crossed the Leet ford, after leaving all 

 their booty, and a considerable number of horses in the hands 

 of the victors. In these superstitious times, even trifling 

 events were construed into acts of importance, and this failure 

 on the part of the Scots, at the commencement of the war, 

 was considered by many as an omen of ill luck. This skirmish 

 took place about a month before the battle of Flodden, and 

 was generally known by the name of " The ill rode." 



Be this as it may, there was no lack of resolution and manly 



