Patten’s Account of Somerset’s Expedition, p. 76.—­Apud Dalyell’s Fragments.

Honest Patten proceeds, with great prolixity, to prove, that this was a custom more honoured in the breach than in the observance; and, like Fluellen, declares, “that such idle pribble prabbles were contrary to all the good customs and disciplines of war.”  Nevertheless, the custom of crying the slogan or ensenzie, is often alluded to in all our ancient histories and poems.  It was usually the name of the clan, or place of rendezvous, or leader.  In 1335, the English, led by Thomas of Rosslyne, and William Moubray, assaulted Aberdeen.  The former was mortally wounded in the onset; and, as his followers were pressing forward, shouting Rosslyne!  Rosslyne!  “Cry Moubray,” said the expiring chieftain; “Rosslyne is gone!” The Highland clans had also their appropriate slogans.  The Macdonalds cried Frich, (heather); the Macphersons Craig-Ubh; the Grants Craig-Elachie; and the Macfarlanes Lock-Sloy.

  The swallow taill frae tackles flew.—­P. 162. v. 2.

The Scots, on this occasion, seem to have had chiefly fire-arms; the English retaining still their partiality for their ancient weapon, the long-bow.  It also appears, by a letter from the Duke of Norfolk to Cecil, that the English borderers were unskilful in fire-arms, or, as he says, “our countrymen be not so commyng with shots as I woolde wishe.”—­See Murdin’s State Papers, Vol.  I. p. 319.

  And had not been the merchant packs.—­P. 162. v. 3.

The ballad-maker here ascribes the victory to the real cause; for, the English borderers, dispersing to plunder the merchandise, gave the opposite party time to recover from their surprise It seems to have been usual for travelling merchants to attend border-meetings, although one would have thought the kind of company, usually assembled there, might have deterred them.

  Sir Francis Russel ta’en was there.—­P, 163. v. 1.

This gentleman was son to the Earl of Bedford.  He was afterwards killed in a fray of a similar nature, at a border-meeting, between the same Sir John Forster (father-in-law to Russell), and Thomas Ker of Fairnihurst, A.D. 1585.

  Proud Wallinton was wounded sair.—­P. 163. v. 1.

Fenwick of Wallinton, a powerful Northumbrian chief.

  As Collingwood, that courteous knight.—­P. 163. v. 1.

Sir Cuthbert Collingwood.  Besides these gentlemen, James Ogle, and many other Northumbrians of note, were made prisoners.  Sir George Heron, of Chipchase and Ford, was slain, to the great regret of both parties, being a man highly esteemed by the Scots, as well as the English.  When the prisoners were brought to Morton, at Dalkeith, and, among other presents, received from him some Scottish falcons, one of his train observed, that the English were nobly treated, since they got live hawks for dead herons.—­Godscroft.