306 BATTLE OF FLODDEN 



In this fierce and sanguinary battle both sides fought with 

 the utmost bravery and deterniination. There was one material 

 disadvantage, however, on the side of the English, which ought 

 not to be overlooked. For two or three days previous to 

 September 9th their provisions had been scanty, and on that 

 day they had absolutely nothing whatever to eat, or to drink, 

 exce2:)t the muddy waters of the Till and pools. Starting 

 breakfastless, they performed those hmg marches — seven miles 

 in the case of the Rear Guard, thirteen in that of the Van 

 Guard — and, " black-fasting as they were born," fought a 

 stubborn and tei'i'ible battle at the end of the day against 

 foes who had been well housed and well fed. That Avas an 

 amazing and magnificent achievement Avhich could not fail 

 to command the wonder and admiration of all who reflected 

 upon it, and spoke volumes for the grit of the hardy race 

 who performed it. 



At the conclusion of the lecture the President led the 

 company first to Branxton Church, and then, a short distance 

 further Westward, to Piper's Hill. He explained that the 

 ancient edifice that was in view of the combatants in 1513 

 was replaced by the existing one in 18-19, with one important 

 exception — that of the chancel arch, which, being of the 

 Transitional period (1154-89), must have been standing for more 

 than three centuries ere Flodden was fought. Had that arch 

 only power, remarked the Pi'esident, to reproduce, gramophone- 

 like, the impressions that lay stored up in its recesses, what 

 a tragic tale could it unfold ; for the little Church must have 

 been crammed with wounded and dying, and have reverberated 

 with the boom of camion, and the clang of conflict ! It was 

 certainly remarkable that no mention whatever of the Church 

 had been made in any account of the battle." The arch was 

 then inspected with the greatest interest. 



" According to Bates there is one slight allasion to it in some Venetian 

 state-papers, as being the place where King James's "iron gauntlets" 

 were deposited after having been taken from his body. 



