370 Rev. R. Jones on the Battle of Flodden Field. 



favour was to embrace his views, to second liis projects, and 

 to give a willing and helping hand in furthering his designs 

 of invading England. 



This passion for war was excited to the highest pitch by 

 the fostering flattery of many of his nobles. Andrew Fore- 

 man, Bishop of Moray, a man of mercenary character, who 

 had been bought over by the gold of the king of France, 

 urged him with all his influence and persuasion to put in 

 execution those ardent desires for war which had engrossed 

 his constant thoughts for several months past. He repre- 

 sented by letter the cowardly act of delay, the base and 

 dastard conduct of withholding from the strife, especially 

 when his old ally was threatened with the danger of inva- 

 sion from so powerful a foe as Henry king of England. He 

 painted in glowing colours the sure prospect of honour, glory, 

 and victory which was certain to crown his exertions the 

 moment he crossed the Borders, Nothing was left undone or 

 omitted that would stimulate him to begin and carry on the 

 war ; even the queen of France had dubbed him her o^\ n true 

 knight, and to this effect had sent him a ring from her own 

 finger of very great value, begging him by letter not to hesi- 

 tate in "his noble and manly purpose, " but to march, if it 

 were only for her sake, three feet on English ground." 



Everything being now in readiness, the camp on the 

 Borough Moor was broken up, and orders were given that the 

 army should march south for the banks of the Tweed. The 

 drums and the trumpets sounded on every side and in every 

 direction, and all was bustle and excitement. The whole 

 inhabitants of Edinburgh and the neighbourhood for miles 

 around had assembled together, to witness the sight of a 

 hundred thousand men marching to invade England. The 

 Borough Moor was crowded with soldiers and horses, oxen 

 and baggage-waggons, tents, pennons and flags. The com- 

 manders of the different divisions, and men at arms, were 

 clad in mail from head to foot, highly polished, and mounted 

 on chargers of great power and mettle. The I3orderers rode 

 horses of less strength and elegance, but of great speed and 

 activity, and their armour was generally of a lighter descrip- 

 tion, more adapted for men accustomed to sudden forage, or 

 for pursuing a routed enemy. The foot soldiers were clad 

 after the custom and manner of that part of Scotland from 

 which they came. Those from the towns wore the steel cap 

 and gorget, with a light coat of mail fitting closely to the 

 body, but in no way impeding either the arms or the legs. 



