The Englifh who were before Berwick with ten thoufand men, including archers^ fpon heard how the Scots intended to raife the fiege and reinforce the garrifon : they called a council, and refolved to extend their ground, to wait for them an4 offer battle, as they wçre anxious to, meet them. The earl of Northumberland ordered all to pre-pare themfelves, and march into the plain to be ipuftered, when they were found to amount to full three thoufarid mer* at arms and feven thou-fand archers. Vfhen the ear} faw his army fo numerous, he faid j c Let us keep to this ground, for we are able to corrçbat all the force Scotland can fend againft us.* They encamped on an extenfive heathy with-out the walls of Berwick, in tyfo battalions and in good array. This had been fçarcely donc an hour before they pçrcived fome of the fcouts of the Scots army advancing, but too well mounted to be attacked by the Englifh : however, fome Englifli knights and fquires would have been glad to have quitted their line to have checked their career, but the earl faid, * Let them alone, an4 allow their main body tp come up : if they have any inclination for the com-bat, they will themfelves advance nearer tp us.' The Englifli remained very quiet, fo that the Scots fcouts came fo clofe they were able to recon-noitre their twb battalions and judge of how many men they were compofed. When they had fyf-ficiendy obferved them, they returned to their lords, and related what they had feen, faying ; c My lords, S42