BATTLE OF FLODDEN 296 



Flodden.^ While it was at Wooler, or shortly before, a 

 curious and dramatic incident took place, which ought not 

 to be passed over, because, almost certainly, it had a most 

 important bearing on the conduct of the campaign. "A 

 horseman," records Dr Hodgkin, "clothed in scarlet and 

 with his vizor down, came riding into the camp, and dashed 

 into the presence of Lord Surrey. Having fallen on his knees 

 before the Earl, and prayed for the preservation of his life, 

 he was bidden to disclose himself and the crime for which 

 he sought forgiveness." This man was John Heron, the natural 

 half-brother of Sir William Heron of Ford Castle. With 

 merciless exactitude John was invariably alluded to by every 

 chronicler as the "Bastard Heron." Where Sir William was 

 when James IV. arrived at Ford, and what was the nature 

 of John's crime, ought to be explained. Four or five years 

 before the time of John's sudden appearance, Ker, Scottish 

 Warden of the Marches, had been assassinated by three 

 Englishmen, of whom John was one. As peace was prevail- 

 ing at the time, Henry VII., anxious not to imperil it, 

 declared John's life forfeit. The latter, however, escaped 

 and remained in hiding ; and until he could be captured, 

 Henry gave up Sir William into the hands of the Scots, as 

 a hostage. That he still was so in August 1513 is clear 

 from the allusion " William Heron of Ford now prisoner in 

 Scotland " in Surrey's letter to James b}" a herald a few 

 days before the battle. On learning of the formation of the 

 English army and its cause, it occurred not unnaturally to 

 John the Outlaw (still in hiding), that from his intimate 

 acquaintance with the countr}' around Ford he might i-ender 

 important services to Surrey and to his country, and thus 

 obtain pardon. That he did prove useful there can be no 

 doubt. Indeed it was most likely that it was he who planned, 

 or at least assisted materially in carrying out, the famous Flank 

 March which would be described in brief. Pardon — at all 

 events from an eartlily king — John never did receive, for. 



^ Regarding the spelling of Plodden, which in old writings appears 

 as Floddon ; Don or Dnn signified a hill ; Den, a hollow ; so Floddon 

 is the analogical reading. 



