Adam Gordon (not sléeping his affaires, know|ing the preparation of the Forboises, and vnder|standing the approch of his enimie so néere with so small companie) assembled his people, led them out of the towne, and compelled the citizens to follow, to The For|boises ouer|throwen be|sides Aber|den. make the number of his armie to séeme the grea|ter. Shortlie after, in a field next adioining to the towne, the two companies met, and a sharpe con|flict was committed betwéene them. In which the kings footmen (appointed to the Forboises) desirous (more hastilie than wiselie) to fight, and aduenturing further in following of the Gordons (than their shot of powder would continue) they went so far, that in the end (being out of the reach of defense or helpe of their company) they were put to fearfull flight by the bowmen of the Gordons, who pursued them egerlie, and continued the battell vntill night. At what time there were not manie of the vanquished slaine, but mostlie taken and reserued as prisoners, amongst which was the said Alexander Forboise taken, after that he had long and valiantlie defended himselfe a|gainst his enimies in the same conffict, to the perpe|tuall glorie of that house.

After the suppression of the Forboises in the north Iedworth defended from assault. parts, the quéenes fauourers were highlie incoura|ged to attempt greater matters. Wherefore assem|bling their power out of diuerse parts of the king|dome, they bend their minds to the suppressing of Iedworth, a towne which after the manner of the countrie is vnwalled and vnfensed, but onelie with the strength of the inhabitants: which towne (cer|teine yeares past had stronglie resisted the force of the quéenes faction. Neere vnto this towne were neighbours Thomas Car of Ferniherst, and Wal|ter Thomas Car. Walter Scot. Scot, both which besides their owne retinue had ioined vnto them the people of the next countries, being Lidesdale, Euian, and Eskine, alwaies trou|bled with robberie and giuen to spoile, who at that time by the libertie of war fréelie without restreint, did wander into further countries, to preie, spoile and catch what they could. Besides whom there were also in Teuiot (aswell by the infection of these coun|tries, as by the custome of spoiling in the wars, for these things were by vse made an other nature and priuilege, as it were from the note and paine of sin) great families defamed with such theft and rapines, and not these alone (sith this poison had crept al|most Buchan. li. 20. ouer all the land) but certeine of the next Eng|lish pale (being allured with hope of preie, and suppo|sing all things lawfull in ciuill warres) ioined togi|ther; and (to make their number the greater, and their power the stronger) called from Edenborough one hundred and twentie harquebushers, chosen out of the chéefest souldiers, to be assistant vnto them.

The inhabitants of Iedworth (not ignorant of their intent, and considering wherevnto all this pre|paration EEBO page image 409 tended) with spéedie & fearefull messengers signifie vnto Iohn Areskine earle of Mar & regent, the present danger wherein they stood, crauing some succor of light furnished souldiers to be sent to them, which foorthwith was granted accordinglie. Where|vpon Walter Car of Stefford, being called before Walter Car sent to defend Iedworth. the regent for that cause, had the charge of such aid granted vnto him, as a person who both for valure & experience was of sufficiencie to discharge anie such matter laied vpon him. Besides which, a conuenient number of sufficient souldiers, gathered out of the countries adioining, for that season assembled them|selues in defense of the towne, & ioined their armie with them at Iedworth. At what time also to strike more feare in the one part & to aduance the courage of the other part, it was noised amongst both armies that William Ruthwine with a hundred shot and William Ruthwine with a power comming to Driburge. certeine horsmen (wherof he brought part with him, and part he gathered out of the marches adioining) were at the same time comming to Driburge with the said Ruthwine. All which notwithstanding, the queenes faction trusting to their owne strength con|sisting in multitude (for they were in number thrée thousand men) did earlie in the morning draw to|wards the towne, to preuent the comming of such succours as both were promised, looked for, and then almost at hand. Which being by Ruthwine partlie before suspected, he hastened the people with more spéed to follow them at the héeles, and by continuall shot weried the taile of his aduersaries with often assaults and skirmishes.