Nçwcaftlc, and a right valiant and expert man at arms, called fir Thomas Mufgrave, were there; but the earl of Northumberland firft arrived at • Berwick with his people j and forces daily came thither from all parts. They were in the wfiole about ten thoufand men, who furrounded the caftle fo clofely on all fides1 that a bird could not have efcaped from it without being feen. The Englifh began to form mines, the fooner to accomplifh their purpofe againft the Scots and regain the caftle'. Intelligence was brought to the barons and knights of Scotland, that the earl of Northum- . berland, with the chivalry of that country, were befiegjng their countrymen in Berwick caftle : they therefore determined to march thither, raife the fiege and reinforce the caftle, for they confidered ' what Alexander Ramfay had performed as a moft gallant achievement. Sir Archibald Douglas, the conftable, faid ; c Alexander is my coufin, and it is his high birth that has caufed him to under-take and execute fo bold a feat as the taking of Berwick caftle ; it behoves us to do all in our power * to affift him in this bufinefs, and if we can raife the fiege it will be to us of great value : I am of opinion, therefore, that we march thither.* He immediately ordered part of the army to remain behind, and the reft to advance toward Berwick. He chofe five hundred lances from the flower of the Scots army, and fet off well mounted and in good order, taking the road to* Berwick. ' Zj ' The 341 *