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31 PART III EARLY HISTORY OF HADDON HALL BY S. RAYNER
King Stephen despatched a small body of disciplined forces to their aid, under the
command of Bernard de Balliol, an experienced officer. Thus strengthened, the
Archbishop and his associates took courage, and a council of war was held, the result of
which was an agreement that they should bind themselves, by mutual oaths, to support
each other against the common enemy. It was further determined that the Deity should
be propitiated by the observance of a three day’s fast, and the distribution of alms, after
which, all should receive the archiepiscopal absolution and benediction. The
confederates then advanced to the town of Thirsk, and from that place Robert de Brus and
Bernard de Balliol proceeded to the camp of the Scottish King on the river Tees. These
barons had estates in both kingdoms, and it was therefore their interest to procure and
preserve peace between their sovereigns. They besought David to abstain from further
invasion of the country, and to return to his own dominions; but he was so little disposed
to adopt their advice that their mission was fruitless, and they were treated by the
courtiers with insult and menace. Finding that a battle must take place, they renounced
their fealty to the Scottish King, and returned to their own camp.
An engagement appearing inevitable, the Archbishop led the confederates to a field
near Alverton or Allerton, an estate belonging to the fee of St. Cuthbert; and there they
erected their Standard, consisting of the mast of a Ship, with the banners of St. Peter, St.
John of Beverly, and St. Wilfrid of Ripon suspended from it, and above was placed the
consecrated host; this being designed for their ensign, rallying-point, and leader to the
battle. Archbishop Thurstan then sent his suffragan [subordinate], Radulphus Novellus
(Bishop of the Orkneys), with other ecclesiastics, to received the confessions, and bestow
absolution on the soldiers, and to give assurance of future happiness to such as should fall
on their side in the approaching conflict. The prelate himself retired from the immediate
scene of action, to pray for their success. The knights now dismounted from their steeds
to fight on foot, disdaining flight, and determined to trust to victory alone for their safety.
All then gathered round the standard.
The historian, John of Hexham, here gives the names of the great Northern Barons
who commanded in this engagement, and among them he says, were William Peverell of
Nottinghamshire, with this forces, and Robert de Ferrers of Derbyshire. In the Annals of
Waverly we are told that the commander in this battle was William Consul, or Count of
Albemarle, with whom were William Peverell of Nottingham, Walter Lespec, and Gilbert
de Lacey, whose brother was the only one among the Anglo-Norman knights that was
killed. Hence it may be concluded that Peverell was not the commander-in-chief of the
army, but leader of a considerable division, consisting not only of his own retainers, but
probably of others also.