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



mill at Cornliill, were crowded with men and horses, oxen and 

 baggage-waggons, crossing to the other side. The Borderers, 

 under Lord Home, led the way, for they were considered as 

 the vanguard of the army, being perfectly well acquainted 

 with every inch of ground on both sides of the river, and no 

 doubt but he and his men thirsted for revenge on account of 

 their recent defeat on the plains of Milfield. He would eye 

 with especial favour and martial joy, the different companies 

 forming in rank and marching order, the moment they set 

 their foot on English soil. 



They were now in their enemy's country, and every face 

 they met was that of a foe. The castles of Wark and Nor- 

 ham were immediately besieged, and soon fell into their 

 hands. The latter was in those days garrisoned by men in 

 the pay of Thomas Ruthal, Bishop of Durham, who in his 

 account of the Battle of Flodden, written only eleven days 

 after the event, thus bemoans his loss to Cardinal Wolsey, 

 then with King Henry before the walls of Terouenne : — 

 " After right herty recommendations to reherse unto you the 

 greate sorow and pensiveness that I have had and taken for 

 the mysfortune of my Castell at Norham, whiche by the 

 cruell tyrany of the king of Scots was lately taken, and a 

 greate part thereof rased and cast down." He then goes on 

 to say, but in a very strange and silly manner, coupling St. 

 Cuthbert with the Almighty : — " But I thanke o^' Lorde God 

 and my patrone Scint Cutbert, who neu suffered anny iniurye 

 dispute or displeasure doon to his churche to passe onpunys- 

 shed, that greate tyranows and cruell dede is well requyted 

 and revenged. For on the IX. day of this instante monethe 

 of Sepr., after a muclouse greate conflicte and terrible bataill, 

 the king of Scots w* the greatest parte of the lords and 

 nobles of his reame wer in playne bataill vanquyshed, 

 outhrown and slayn," The castle of Norham was taken 

 possession of on Monday the 29th, one week after crossing 

 the fords near Coldstream. Considerable plunder was found 

 within the walls, all of which was carried away by the Scotch. 



Etal was next attacked and soon fell into their hands ; but 

 before Ford, which was then occupied by Lady Heron, there 

 was more difficulty to contend with. Stipulations had been 

 made by that lady, under peculiar arrangements, that her 

 castle should not be thrown down. These were agreed to by 

 James under certain conditions, but whether fulfilled, or not, 

 on Lady Heron's part, history is scant on the subject ; for it 

 is very well known that the assault took place, and consider- 



