, 1864-01-16
[FRoM WILSON'S TALES OF THE BORDERS. |
The Red Hall.


its merchants the most enterprising and
successful. London in some measure strove
to be its rival, but it possessed not tenth
Of the natural advantages, and Berwick
continued to bear the palm alone; being
styled the Alexandria of the nations, the
emporium Of commerce, and one Of the first
commercial cities of the world. This state
of prosperity it owed almost solely to Alex
ander Ill, who did more for Berwick than
any sovereign that has since claimed its
allegiance. He brought over colony Of
wealthy Flemings, for whom he erected an
immense building called the Red Hall, and
which at once served as dwelling-houses,
factories and fortress. The terms upon
which he granted charter to this company
Of merchants were, that they should defend,
even unto death, their Red Hall against
every attack of an enemy, and Of the Eng
lish in particular. Wool was the staple
commodity Of their commerce; but they
also traded extensively in silks and in foreign
manufactures. The people Of Berwick un-
derstood free trade in those days. In this
state of peace and enviable prosperity it
continued until the spring Of 1895. The
bold, the crafty, and revengeful Edward l..
meditated an invasion Of Scotland; and
Berwick, from its wealth, situation and i'm
portance, was naturally anticipated to be
the first object of his attack. To defeat
this, Baliol, whom we can sometimes almost
admirc-though generally We despise and
pity him-sent the chief men Of Fife and
their retainers to the assistance Of the town.
Easter week arrived, but no tidings were
heard Of Edwards movements, and business
went on with its wonted hustle.
Amongst the merchants Of the Red Hall
was one known by the appellation Of VIII
liam the Fleming; and he had o daughter,
an heiress and only child, whose beauty was
the theme of Berwick's minstrels, when
rhyme was coming in vogue. Many knee
was bent to the rich and beautiful Isabella ;
but she preferred the humble and half.told
passion Of Francis Scott, who was one Of
the clerks in the Red Hall, to all the chiv-
alrous declarations Of prouder lovers. Fran
els possessed industry and perseverance ;
and these, in the eyes Of her father, were
qualifications precious as rubies. These,
with love for his daughter, oyercame other
mercenary objections, and the day for their
marriage had arrived. Francis and Isabella
were kneeling before the altar, and the
priest was pronouncing the service-the
merchant was gazing fondly over his child
when sudden and hurried peal from
the Bell Tower broke upon the ceremony
and cries Of q the English! to arms r were
heard from the street. The voice Of the
priest faltered-he stopped-William the
Fleming placed his hand upon his sword
the bridegroom started to his feet, and tho
fair Isabella clung to his side. "Ceme, chill
dren," said the merchant, Glet us to the
Hall-a happier hour may bless your nup-
tials-this Is no moment for bridal cere-
mony." And, in silence, each man grasp
ing his sword, they departed from the
chapel, where the performance Of the mar
riage rites was broken by the sounds Of in
yasion. The ramparts were crowded with
armed citizens, and a large English feet
was seen bearing round Lindisferne. In a
few hours the hostile vessels entered the
river, and commenced furious attack upon
the town. Their assault was returned by
the inhabitants, as men who were resolved
to die for liberty. For hours the battle
ragged, and the Tweed became as sheet Of
blood. But, while the conflict rose 6ercest,
again the Bell Tower sent forth its sounds
Of death. Edward, at the head Of thirty
Eve thousand chosen troops, had crossed
the river at Coldstream, and was now seen
encamping at the foot Of Halidon Hill.
Part Of his army Immediately descended
upon the town, TO the assistance Of his
feet. They commenced q resolute attack
from the north, while the greater paft Of
the garrison held bloody combat with the
ships in the river. Though thus attacked
upon both sides, the bcsieged fought with
the courage Of surrounded lions, and the
proud feet was defeated and driven from
the river. The attacks Of the army were
desperate, but without success, for desperate
were the men who opposed them. Treach-
cry, however, that to this day remains un-
discovered, existed in the town; and, at an
hour when ths garrison thought not, the
gates were dcceitfhlly opened, and the
English rushed like q torrent upon the
streets. Wildly the work Of slaughter
began. With the sword and with the
knife, the inhabitants defended every house,
every foot Of ground. Mild mothers and
gentle maidens fought for their thresholds
with the fury Of hungry wolyes-and del
icate hands did deeds Of carnage. The
war Of blood ragged from street to street,
while the English poured on like ceascless
stream. Shouts, groans, the clang Of
swords, and the shrieks Of women mingled
together Fiercer grew the close and the
deadly warfare; but the numbers of the
besieged became few. Heaps Of dead
men lay at every door, each with his sword
glued to his hands by the blood Of an enc
my. OF the warriors from Fife, every man
perished; but their price was costly sac
ri6ee Of the boldest lives in England.
The streets ran deep with blood: and, in
dependent Of slaughtered enemies, the
mangled and lifeless bodies Of seventeen
thousand Of the Inhabitants paved the
streets. The war Of death ceased only
from lack Of lives to prey upon. With the
exception Of the Red Hall, the town was
an awful and silent charnel-house.
Within It were the thirty brave Flemings,
pouring their arrows upon the triumphant
besiegcrs, and resolved to defend it to death.
Amongst them was the father Of Isabella,
and by his side his intended soIein-law,