land, and was full fifteen * days refident with William earl of Douglas, father of earl James, of whom we are now fpeaking, at his caftle of* Dalkeith, five miles diftant from Edinburgh.—• Earl James was then very young, but a promif-ing youth, and he had a filter called Blanche*. I had my information, therefore, from both parties, who agree that it was the hardeft and moft obftinate battle that was ever fought. This I readily believed, for the Englifh and Scots are excellent men at arms, and whenever they meet in battle they do" not fpare each other ; nor is there any check to their courage fo long as their weapons endure.—When they have well beaten each other, and one party is victorious, they are fo proud of their conqueft, that they ranfom their prifoners inftantly, and in fuch courteous manner to thofe who have been taken, that on their departure they return them their thanks. However, when in battle, there is no boy's play between them, nor'do they fhrink from the com-bat; and yon will fee, in the further detail of this battle, as excellent deeds performed as were ever witneffed. • * . * Blanche. Earl William Douglas was firft married to -Margaret, daughter of the earl of Mar. By her he had two children, James, who fucceeded him in his honours, and 156 CHAP.