Web Design and Support
Webbed by Steven Proctor
About the month of March, in this year, great dissention arose between Henry, king of England, and the family of Percy and the Welsh, in which the Scots took part, and enyered Northumberland with a considerable force. King Henry raised a large army to oppose them, and marched thither to give them battle; but, at the first attack, his vanguard was discomfited. This prevented the second division from advancing, and it being told the king, who commanded the rear, he was animated with more than usual courage, from perceiving to hesitate, and charged the enemy with great vigour. His conduct was so gallant and decisive, that many of the nobles of both parties declared he that day slew, with his own hand, thirty-six men at arms. He was thrice unhorsed by the earl of Douglas' spear, and would have been taken or killed by the earl, had he not been defended and resqued by his own men. The lord Thomas Percy was there slain, and his nephew Henry made prisoner, whom the king ordered instantly to be put to death before his face. The earl of Douglas was also taken, and may others. After this victory, king Henry departed from the field of battle, joyful at the successful event of the day. He snt a body of men-at-arms to Wales, to besiege a town of that country which was favourable to the Percies.1