20
THE HISTORY OF
thing being in readiness, the English army appronched Berwick, which was commanded by Walter, grand Steward of Scotland. This nobleman had long apprehended an attaek from the English, and had taken every means of defenee in his power. The enemy, however, confiding in their numbers, made a general assault, but were repulsed on the 7th of September after a most obstinate eontest. Their next attempt was on the side towards the river. At that time the walls of Berwick were of an inconsiderable height, and it was proposed to bring a vessel close to them, from whenee the troops might enter by a drawbridge let down from the mast; but the Scots annoyed the assailants so much that they could not bring the vessel within the proper distanec; and at the ebb of the tide it grounded, and was burnt by the besieged. The English had then recourse to a newly invented engine, which they called a sow. It was a large fabric composed of timber, and well roofed, having stages within it, and in height surpassing the wall of the town. It moved on wheels, and served for the double purpose of conducting the miners to the foot of the wall, and armed men to the storm. The great engine moved on to the walls, and, at length, a huge stone struck it with such force that the beams gave way, and the Scots pouring down combustibles upon it, it was burnt. The English, however, still continued the attack. The Steward, with the reserve of 100 men, went from post to post, relieving those who were wounded or unfit for combat. One soldier of the reserve only remained with him when an alarm was given that the English had burnt a barrier at the port called St Mary's, possessed themselves of the drawbridge, and fired the gate. The Steward hastened thither, called down the guard from the rampart, ordered the gate to be set open, and rushed out upon the enemy. A desperate combat ensued, and continued till the close of the day, when the English commanders withdrew their troops. Notwithstanding this brave defenee, it was evident that the town could not hold out long without a speedy relief; and Robert could not, with any probability of sucess, attack the fortified camp of the English. He, therefore, determined to make a powerful diversion in England, to oblige Edward to abandon the undertaking. By order of the king, 15,000 men entered England by the western marches, and laid waste Yorkshire. The Archbishop of York hastily colleeted a numerous body of commons and ecclesiastics, with whom he encountered the Scots at Mitton, near Boroughbridge, in the North Riding of Yorkshire. The English were instantly routed, 3000 were left dead on the field, and a great part of those who fled perished in the Swale. In this action 300 ecelesiastics lost their lives.
