One of the largest collections of Scottish Ballads & Scots Folk Songs, lyrics, celtic music and downloads available on the internet.
Traditional Celtic Music, Scottish Songs & Border Ballads
Scots' musician, songwriter, & balladeer.
Hazel
Song History
Battle Of
Otterburn
A simple brief
thought on Scottish
Independance.

Were the outdated
union not of some very
high value to England and
the English, why would
they fight so to try to
keep it?

There are only so many
slices to a pie, for one to
have more, another must
have less.

Lastly - to those Scottish
"Loyalists" - to whom are
you loyal?
Scots royalty died in the
1700's so it can be no
Scots crown - And
certainly not it appears to
those who came before,
that bled for Scotland
and her freedom !  
In the words
of Burns, as he
wrote from the heart.

Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victorie.

Now's the day, and now's the hour;
See the front o' battle lour;
See approach proud Edward's power,
Chains and slaverie.

Wha would be a traitor-knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a Slave?
Let him turn and flie:

Wha for Scotland's king and law,
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Free-man stand, or free-man fa',
Let him follow me.

By Oppression's woes and pains!
By your Sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free!

Lay the proud Usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty's in every blow!
Let us Do - or Die!!!

Choose your destiny.
Date:
According to Scottish sources, the battle was fought on
August 5, 1388. English sources frequently claim that it
occurred on August 19.

Armies & Commanders:
Scotland
James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas
around 6,000 men

England
Henry "Hotspur" Percy
around 8,000 men

Battle of Otterburn Summary:
Following the end of a truce with England, Scottish forces
began raiding south in the summer of 1388. Moving
through the eastern marches with 6,000 men, James
Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas, advanced on Newcastle.
Arriving at the city, his men boldly attacked its western
defenses and skirmished with the garrison. Stunned by the
audacity of the Scottish attack, Sir Henry "Hotspur" Percy
initially believed Douglas' men to be the vanguard of the
main Scottish army. Lacking siege equipment and
sufficient supplies, Douglas elected to slip away from the
city on the night of August 3/4.

Realizing that Douglas was operating independently, Percy
quickly mustered around 8,000 men and set off in pursuit.
He elected to depart immediately, rather than wait for the
Bishop of Durham who was marching north with
reinforcements. Moving northwest towards the River Rede,
Douglas' men moved slowly due the large amount of
livestock and plunder which had been captured during the
raid. Arriving at Ponteland, they paused to reduce a tower.
This minor attack alerted Percy to the direction of the
Scottish retreat and he adjusted his course accordingly.

By evening, the Scots reached the Rebe near the village of
Otterburn. Placing his men astride the road with his flanks
anchored on the river and high ground, Douglas decided to
attack nearby Otterburn Tower the next day. After several
hours of unsuccessful fighting on August 5, Douglas
elected to remain encamped along the Rebe. Believing that
he was not being pursued, he did not post sentries along
the road. Marching hard, Percy and the lead elements of
his force reached the Rebe Valley around sunset on
August 5.

Initially concerned with finding a campsite as his men were
tired and stretched out back to Ponteland, Percy was
surprised to find the Scots a short distance ahead. Rather
than pausing for the night, he elected to immediately form
for battle and attack. To hold the Scots in place, he
detached a force to march around their left flank and block
their line of retreat. Surprised by the arrival of the English,
the Scots scrambled to prepare for battle as the English
began to charge forward. Rallying his men, Douglas led the
Scots in a desperate counterattack.

Moving along a wooded hillside, Douglas was able to use a
ravine to cover their approach before falling upon the
English right. With the sun set, the battle became a
confused affair and was fought by moonlight. Due to the
darkness, Percy was unable to deploy his archers and the
fighting remained hand-to-hand. The battle continued for
several hours, pausing only when clouds obscured the
moon throwing the combatants into darkness. During the
fighting, Douglas was wounded in the neck and killed. As
dawn broke the English ranks began to waver.

As his army began to disintegrate, Percy was captured by
Sir John Montgomery. With the battle lost, the English fled
the field and retreated towards Ponteland. Recovering the
body of their slain commander, the Scots resumed their
march home.

Aftermath:
In addition to James Douglas, the Battle of Otterburn cost
the Scots around 500 dead and wounded as well as 200
captured. English losses numbered between 1,000 and
1,500. In addition, 21 knights were captured. The body of
James Douglas was taken back to Scotland and interred at
Melrose Abbey after a state funeral. A prisoner in Scotland,
Percy was ultimately ransomed with King Richard II and
Parliament both contributing funds. Blame for the defeat at
Otterburn was place upon the Bishop of Durham who was
accused of moving too slowly to aid Percy.