The Scots, who were informed that Newcaftle was the place of rendezvous of the Englilh army, advanced thither, and fent their van-guard to lkirmilh near the town ; who, on. their return, burht fome hamlets adjoining to it. The ftnoke and flames came into the town, which made the Englilh impatient to fally out upon thofe who had done this mifichief, but their leaders would not permit them. On the morrow, the king of Scotland, with full forty thoufand men, including all forts, advanced within three Ihort Englilh miles of Newcaftle, and took up his quarters on the land of the lord Ne-ville. He fent to inform the army in the town, that, if they^were willing to come forth, he would wait for them and give them battle. The barons and prelates of England fent for anfwer, that they accepted his offer, and would rifle their lives with the realm of their lord and king. They fallied out in number about twelve hundred men at arms, three thoufand archers, and feven thoufand other men, including the Welch. The Scots polled themfelves oppofite to the Englilh ; and each army was drawn out in battle array. The queen of England then came to the place where her army was, and remained until it was drawn out in four battalions. The firft was under the command of the bifhop of Durham, and the lord Percy : the fécond, under the archbifliop of York and the lord Neville : the third, under the bifhop of Lincoln and the lord Mowbray : the fourth was commanded by the lord Baliol, governor of Ber-wick, 188 "