A fquire attached to the earl of Northumber-land, called William Bifiet, was governor of the town of Berwick ; and a very able knight, called fir Robert Abeton*, was conftable of the caftle. ' When the Scots were arrived rieai^ Berwick, they concealed themfelves, and fent a fpy to ob-ferve the ftate of the caftle. The fpy entered it as far as the ditches, wherein there was not any water, nor indeed could any be retained in them, for they were of moving fands : • he looked about him on alt fides, but did not fee A foul : upon which, he returned bade to his mafters. , ; Alexander Ramfay direftly advanced with his Companions, without fpeakîng a word, and parted the ditches : they had brought good ladders with them, which they placed againft the walls. Alex* ander was the firft who mounted them fword in Sir Robert Abeton—fir Robert Boynton. Dr. Fuller, in Ms hiftory of Berwick, 1799, fays, * that feven intrepid Scots-men in 1377 took poflefiion of Berwick caftle by ftorm in the night, and continued mafters of it for eight days, though It was befieged by feven thoufand Engiifti archers and three thou-fand cavalry, and only loft two of their number, which had in-creafed to forty-eight when they weiç fubdued. Notwithftand-ing this heroic achievement, they were all put to the fword. « Upon entering the caftle, they killed the governor, fir Ro-bert Boynton, but liberated his lady for two thoufand marks. « When the earl of Northumberland fummoned thefe heroes to furrender, they boldly replied ; • That they would not yield it either to the kings of England or Scotland, but would retain and defend it for the king of France.' No authority is mentioned. hand. 836