[55] Knighton says there were 17,000 killed, and that rivulets of blood flowed through the city for two days. Langtoft informs us, that Edward was the first to enter the breach, which he did on his favourite horse, named “Bayard.” He has omitted to say, if “Bayard” was a pale horse. This distinguishing trait seems only a-wanting, to render the description given of this “most pious and clement prince,” no unapt representation of the Grand Destroyer and last enemy of mankind.
The only man of consequence who fell on the side of the English, was Sir Richard de Cornwall. He was killed by a quarrell, shot by a Flemish merchant from the “Red Hall.” This place was a fortified factory or store, occupied by a company of Flemings trading in Berwick, and held by them of the crown of Scotland, on condition of defending it against the English to the last extremity. Their knightly devoirs they bravely performed. The fortress held out the whole day against all the force the English could bring against it. At night it was set on fire, and the faithful little band of trading warriors perished in the flames.
[56] Henry, Buke Fyrst, p. 10, 11.
[57] Some accounts say that Sir Patrick Graham was the elder brother of the gallant Sir John.
[58] Walter of Exeter.
[59] Wyntown.
[60] Stowe.
[61] Vide Appendix to Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol. i.
[62] The object of the greatest national importance, and of the most venerable antiquity, which he carried off on this occasion, was the Lia-faile, called also Clach na cineamhuinn (fatal stone), on which the Kings of Scotland, from the earliest ages of their monarchy, had been crowned. At the ceremony of their inauguration, a seanachaidh, or heraldic bard, clothed in a robe of sky-blue, stood before the lia-faile, and recited to the King, as he sat on it, the genealogy of the Kings of Scotland, from the foundation of their dynasty. The last performance of this ancient Celtic custom, was at the coronation of Alexander III. The person who officiated on that occasion, is said to have had on a scarlet robe. This, however, was not the colour used by the Celts, for that office. The person of the heraldic bard was sacred above all others, and he wore sky-blue as emblematic of peace. The early history of the Lia-faile is involved in the obscurity of fable, and no small degree of sacredness has been attached to it from the connection it is supposed to have with the destinies of the Scots. The following Druidical Oracle, is considered as first giving currency to this belief.
Cioniodh scuit saor an fine,
Man ba breag an Faisdine.
Mar a bh’ fhuighid an lia-fail,
Dlighid flaitheas do ghabhail.