The Story of the ballad has the authority of more than one chronicle, and is attributed to the year 1530. James V., in spite of the promise ‘to doe no wrong’ in his large and long letter, appears to have been incensed at the splendour of ‘Jonnë’s’ retinue. It seems curious that the outlaw should have been a Westmoreland man; but the Cronicles of Scotland say that ‘from the Scots border to Newcastle of England, there was not one, of whatsoever estate, but paid to this John Armstrong a tribute, to be free of his cumber, he was so doubtit in England.’ Jonnë’s offer in the stanza 16.3,4, may be compared to the similar feat of Sir Andrew Barton.
JOHNIE ARMSTRONG
1.
There dwelt a man in faire Westmerland,
Jonnë Armestrong men did him call,
He had nither lands nor rents coming in,
Yet he kept eight score men in his hall.
2.
He had horse and harness for them all,
Goodly steeds were all milke-white;