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- BIOGRAPHY
A close alliance was formed between the Scots and the French, and large sums of money were distributed by the King of France among the Scottish nobles to induce them to invade England. The great influence of the Earl of Douglas is shown by the fact that most was bestowed upon him. In opposition to the advice of the King, the Scottish barons resolved, about the end of July 1388, to make an inroad into England.
A smaller army, under the command of the Earl of Douglas, pushed rapidly through Northumberland and ravaged the bishopric of Durham without opposition. On their return to Scotland, they retired to Otterburn, a hamlet in Redesdale about thirty miles from Newcastle; three days later Sir Henry Percy marched against them at the head of a greatly superior force, and attacked their encampment shortly after sunset.
Froissart, whose account of the battle was obtained from English and Scottish knights who took part in it, says it was fought on a sweet moonlight evening, clear and bright. It raged for several hours with the utmost fury. At length the Scots, who fought against treble their number, began to give way, when Douglas, wielding a battleaxe with both hands, and followed only by a few of his household, cut his way into the thickest of the enemy, where he was borne down and mortally wounded.
Sir James Lindsay, Sir John and Sir Walter Sinclair, were the first to discover him as he lay bleeding to death. 'How farest with you, cousin?' asked Sir John Sinclair. 'But so so,' replied the Earl; 'yet few of my ancestors have died in chambers or in their beds. There has long been a prophecy that a dead Douglas should win a field. I trust it will now be fulfilled. My heart sinks; I am dying. Do you, Walter, and you, John Sinclair, raise my banner and cry 'Douglas!' and tell neither friend nor foe I am lying here.' These were his last words.
The Scottish leaders raised the banner, and with cries of 'Douglas! Douglas!' assailed the English with renewed energy. Their followers, animated by the cry, and believing that their leader was still in the field, pressed on the enemy so fiercely that they gave way on all sides. Hotspur and his brother, Sir Ralph Percy, were taken prisoners, and scarcely a man of note among the English escaped death of captivity.
In this memorable conflict the banner of Douglas was borne by his natural son, Archibald Douglas, ancestor of the Douglases of Cavers. The body of Douglas was carried by the Scottish army in solemn and sorrowful procession to the abbey of Melrose, where they buried him beneath the high altar.
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