Download - Haddon Hall

32 PART III EARLY HISTORY OF HADDON HALL BY S. RAYNER
The confederates, in comparison with their foes, were but a handful of men, but they
were well armed and disciplined, and inspired with enthusiasm by the exhortation of the
priests, they dreaded but little the assault of their numerous half-naked savage opponents.
The Scottish King advanced to the attack surrounded by his legions. With the prudence of
an able General he would have place his men-at-arms in front; but the fierce Highlanders
and savage Borderers would not be restrained. “I wear no armour,” exclaimed one of their
Chiefs; “but no mailed Knight shall march before me this day.” Thus casting aside all
caution, they rushed to the conflict, despising their enemies on account of the smallness of
their number. But they were received in a very different manner from what they had
expected. Flights of arrows from a distance pierced their un-armed bodies; and when they
came to close quarters, they found that with their weapons they could make no impression
on their steel-clad adversaries, whose blows in return they were utterly unable to
withstand. Yet though thus overpowered and destroyed in crowds, they manifested no
want of courage. For nearly three hours they kept their ground, fresh bands continually
advancing over the bodies of their slain comrades. But finding it vain to contend under
such disadvantages, they at last gave way, and fled in confusion, throwing down their arms
and baggage that they might have nothing to impede their flight. In commemoration of
this last ignominious circumstance, the field of battle was afterwards called Baggamor.
King David and his Knights endeavoured to maintain the combat, but in vain; they
were obliged to consult their safety by flight. The wretched remaining survivors of the
Scottish army sought concealment in woods, brakes, and marshes, where many of them
perished in consequence of their wounds, and others were taken and slain. The merciless
conduct of the Scots in the course of their incursion had exasperated the minds of the
English against them; and probably very few who were discovered escaped death. John
Bromton, in his Chronicle, says, that ten thousand Scots fell in this battle, besides those
afterwards dragged to slaughter from their places of concealment. The Monk of
Waverley reckons the whole number of the slain as twelve thousand. This battle was
fought on the Octave of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, on the 22nd of August,
1138. Peace for a time between the English and Scots was the fruit of this victory of the
Anglo-Norman Barons.
King Stephen doubtless rewarded the services of such of his officers as had particularly
distinguished themselves on this occasion, and obtained a triumph for him over a
dangerous foe at so critical a season. John of Hexham informs us that William de
Albemarle was shortly after made Earl of Yorkshire, and Robert de Ferrers Earl of
Derbyshire. The latter of these Barons, or his son of the same name, married the daughter
of Peverell the younger; and eventually acquired a share of his extensive domains.