The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-09-08
FLODDEN FIELDS.

FLODDEN FIELDS.
1n the high hill of Brankston, with no.
oi' NlrW OF Brrwickshire, Roxburgshire, and
ftrl Of SclkllAshire. to the west and north
Wr~' Stood the Scottish army. James had
moved here from Flodden when he saw the
English cross Twizel Bridge, and by that
movement got between him and Home To
1he extreme left facing Lord Thos Howard,
were lluntly and Home, with Crawford and
NoniroSe. and host OF bare-legged savage
liShlandero and Islesmen The King was
opposite to Surrey, with Boutwell, and the
Lothian men III the rear, while LennOX and
Argyle We're facing Stanley.
The battle began about 4 O'Clock with in
lerrhanges Of artillery, the Scotch using
lraden balls, the English the more service
;'hlt ron Almost the first discharge of the
i-hghsh killed the Scottish master-gunner.
and displritcd and drove away his men.
ne Scotch tradition is, that dreading a
Devastating INVASION OF Scotland, and urges
~ "A 'rAtorous English renegade, one Oiled
Muogravr, James, who should have attacked
Howard during his flank march, determined
10 descend the hill and give battle and there
lore sci fire to his tents and camp lumber, SO
'h5l The smoke might conceal his approach
hut TINS story the Berwickshire antquaries,
with lhe scenes in view. altogether DENY.
The hour had come. The English had tax
"n no food that day, and went out fasting
winch IS not the best starting point for Eng
-lSti ilShlerN-but the earl had said to his cap
suns, Now, good fellows, prove English
men TINS day" and they Were ready How
,if" and Home first joined swords. Lord
lt"ines H"rlcrers and the Earl of Huntley's
lIl&hlandcrS came down on Howard with
i""i dense battaions OF spearmen, the High
IAilaerS shouting their slogans, the Scotch
advancing swiftly but with an appalling 81
l'nrr, The Borderers' arrows flew so fast,
ana lh" lhghlandcrs two-handed swords
SWING with such cruel force that the English
were several times repulsed. The Cheshire
Hrn broke. Brian Tunstall was struck dead,
me standard was beaten down and cut in
l"e'rs Three times Sir Edmund Howard
"as struck from his horse, but being, '.hariy,
Young and lusty, he recovered himself, and
nursing into the melee fought hand to hand
with Sr David Horne, and slew him. Sir
Edmond friend, John Heron though much
wounded, came to his succor, and said
There never was noblcmans son so like
Z" he lost rs You this day; but for all my
Anrts will here live and die with YOU"
Al THIS Iuncture came Heron, squirting up
q" shield he broken men, and repel the
iercr ana stubborn Scotch. while Dacre,
'harSlng them al the head of eighteen hum
Ircd horse, drove them back. In the mean
hme, Crawford and Montrose had also re
Owed with their seven thousand Scots, to
close with the Lord Admiral who fearing to
hc overpowercd, took from his neck the
AghuS Del, and sent TO his father to beg him
L. attack the king. The rising ground called
Inv Ilprf's Hill lay between him and his
lAlAer- The fiery king, seeing the Scots Civ
lhS way. harangued his men, who, shaking
thrH weapons, shouted, * Forward, upon
Them In sign says IIolinshed, ''of an
earnest desire they had to buckle with the
EnSllshmen. Then the king and; all his
mobiles dlsmounted and led the vanguard on
loot, to show their determination to do OF
die
But before this Sir Edward Stanley and the
eastern division had attackedIthe Highlanders
"i LenoN and Argyle. The storm of arrows
from the Lancashire and Cheshire bowmen
pierced the tluttering plaids of the Macleans
ana MekenSieS, and nothing could hold them
IA, not even the cries and entreaties of
Dclamotte, the French ambassador, who saw
thelr certain destruction. They broke their
rank, and. with bossed targets and broad
swords, rushed down upon the English. The
game was soon lost; their fierce charge bore
back the archers, but Stanley charged them
IA the rear and on the flank with three COM
panIes ot the men-atarms, and they were
routed with great slaug hter-Lenox, Argyle
aud other chiettains dying at the head Of
their men
During tins savage grapple the king had
borne down bravely on Surrey, followed by
Bothwell, and had nearly cut way to the
sacred standard. Victory. seemed to be his,
hut Crawford and Montrose were both slain,
and Stanley was already driving over the
hill brow the routed IIghlanders, who could
not rally.
The md was, indeed, coming Home.
after ms transient victory, encountered with
plumber, being kept in check by Dacre's horse
held his footing in a state of checkmate on
The hill, unable to strike down on the admiral
The fiery rashness Of the Highlanders of
Crawford and Montrose had led to the same
fate that had befalen the clans of Lennox
and Argyle. The Lancashire and Cheshire
men shouldering back the Highlanders, and
lighting viciously with hewing halberds,
hlo"d-dripping bills, and clashing partisans,
drove them over the hill. In vain swung the
hroadswords on shield and burganet the
English maccs and axes beat down; many
OF the rough clansmen, and at last the killed
men reeled, loosened, scattered, and fled.
ne English left wing was victorious.
But IN the centre the battle was still doubt
lul. Home might yet break through Dacrc's
horse, and envelope and destroy the old earl
The Scottish king was still rather gaining
than losing ground. There had been nearly
three hours fighting, the sun had set, it was
last getting dark. The wind blew high on
the hill side, and Il thick rain drove against
the stern faces of the Scottish knights who
surrounded their king.
SANKEY'S success decided the battle. The
men of Lennox and Argyle not rallying, he
was able to mount the hill and look below on
the struggle in the twilight-the centre whirl-
pool of men and horses, the gathering place
OF the harvest of lances. The chief target of
the English arrows was round the southern
base of Pper's Hill below him to the west
There the halberds, and bills, and maces,
and axes fell fastest and loudest; there the