The English could scarcely believe their luck when the King of Scotland, William the Lion, whose raids on the north of England had been driving them to despair, fell into their hands. This account is recorded by the Yorkshire Augustinian canon William of Newburgh, who was a highly respected historian, working in the tradition of the Venerable Bede.
While things were thus in the northern parts of England the king’s nobles in the province of York were frankly enraged that Scots should infest English territories; and they gathered with a strong force of cavalry at Newcastle upon the river Tyne. For, as the matter pressed, they could not collect forces of infantry. And they came thither on the sixth day of the week, wearied by their long and arduous journey.
Now when they discussed in common there what was to be done, the more prudent alleged that much had been done already, since the king of Scotland had retired very far, through fore-learning their approach; that for the present this ought to suffice for their moderate strength; it was not safe for them, nor of use to the king of the English, that they should advance further; lest perchance they should seem to expose their small number like a loaf of bread to be devoured by the endless host of the barbarians. They had not more than four hundred horsemen, while in the enemy’s army were estimated more than eighty thousand men-at-arms.
To this the more eager replied that their most wicked foes ought by all means to be attacked; that they should not despair of victory, which without doubt would follow justice.
At last the opinion of the latter prevailing, because God so willed that the event should be ascribed rather to the divine will than to the power or prudence of man, the men of valour … somewhat refreshed by the night’s rest advanced in the earliest morning with such speed – as though hastening by propulsion of some power – that before the fifth hour they had traversed twenty-four miles; although that seemed scarcely within the endurance of men laden with the weight of their arms.
And while they went a mist, so it is said, covered them so densely that they scarcely knew whither they were going. Then the more prudent, arguing the journey dangerous, asserted that extreme hazard surely threatened them unless they immediately turned and went back.
To this said Bernard de Balliol, a man noble and high spirited: ‘Let him go back who will, but I will go on even if no one will follow; and not brand myself with a perpetual stain.’
So while they proceeded, suddenly the mist cleared away; and they, having the castle of Alnwick before their eyes, joyfully considered that it would be safe shelter for them if the enemy pressed upon them.
And behold the king of Scots was on the watch, with a troop of horse, about sixty or a few more, not far away, in the open fields; as if secure, and fearing nothing less than an attack of our men: the host of barbarians with part of the cavalry being scattered widely for the spoil.
And indeed at first when he saw our men he thought they were some of his own returning from the spoil. But presently noticing carefully the standards of our men, he at last understood that they had dared what he could not have guessed they would dare.
Nevertheless he was not dismayed, surrounded as he was by his army, so vast, although ill concentrated; and esteemed it certain that these few, being surrounded, must be easily swallowed up by the host spread out around them.
Immediately he struck his arms fiercely together, and aroused his men both by word and example, saying, ‘Now it will appear who knows how to be a knight.’
And, the rest following, he rushed first upon the enemy, and was immediately intercepted by our men; and, his horse being killed, he was thrown to the ground and taken, with almost all his troop.
For even those who were able to escape by flight, when he was taken refused to flee; and, that they might be taken with him, yielded themselves voluntarily into the hands of the enemy.
Certain nobles also who chanced to be absent at the time but were not far away learned what had happened, and came presently at their horses’ highest speed; and throwing themselves rather than falling into the hands of the enemy thought it honourable to share in the peril of their lord.
But Roger de Mowbray, who was there at the time, slipped away and escaped when the king was taken, and fled back into Scotland.
And our chief men carried away with rejoicing a noble prey, and returned in the evening to Newcastle, whence in the morning they had departed; and caused him to be most carefully guarded at Richmond, so as to send him in good time to their lord the illustrious king of the English.