, to
wed Eric, King of Norway, in 1281 (some of her escort were drowned
on their way home), with the rather mysterious death, or
disappearance, of Margaret's daughter, "The Maid of Norway," on her
voyage to marry the son of Edward I., in 1290. A woman, who
alleged that she was the Maid of Norway, was later burned at the
stake. The great number and variety of versions sufficiently
indicate the antiquity of this ballad, wherein exact history is not
to be expected.
THE BATTLE OF OTTERBURN
From The Border Minstrelsy, Sir Walter Scott's latest edition of
1833: the copy in the edition of 1802 is less complete. The
gentle and joyous passage of arms here recorded, took place in
August 1388. We have an admirable account of Otterburn fight from
Froissart, who revels in a gallant encounter, fairly fought out
hand to hand, with no intervention of archery or artillery, and for
no wretched practical purpose. In such a combat the Scots, never
renowned for success at long bowls, and led by a Douglas, were
likely to prove victorious, even against long odds, and when taken
by surprise.
Choosing an advantage in the discordant days of Richard II., the
Scots mustered a very large force near Jedburgh, merely to break
lances on English ground, and take loot. Learning that, as they
advanced by the Carlisle route, the English intended to invade
Scotland by Berwick and the east coast, the Scots sent three or
four hundred men-at-arms, with a few thousand mounted archers and
pikemen, who should harry Northumberland to the walls of Newcastle.
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