re,
would learn to cultivate the arts of peace, and would soften their minds
to a love of domestic order and obedience: that as this situation was
desirable to both kingdoms, so particularly to Scotland, which had been
exposed to the greatest miseries from intestine and foreign wars, and
saw herself every moment in danger of losing her independency by the
efforts of a richer and more powerful people: that though England had
claims of superiority, she was willing to resign every pretension for
the sake of future peace; and desired a union which would be the more
secure, as it would be concluded on terms entirely equal; and that,
besides all these motives, positive engagements had been taken for
completing this alliance; and the honor and good faith of the
nation were pledged to fulfil what her interest and safety so loudly
demanded.[*]

Somerset soon perceived that these remonstrances would have no
influence; and that the queen dowager's attachment to France and to
the Catholic religion would render ineffectual all negotiations for the
intended marriage. He found himself, therefore, obliged to try the force
of arms, and to constrain the Scots by necessity to submit to a measure
for which they seemed to have entertained the most incurable aversion.
He passed the borders at Berwick, and advanced towards Edinburgh,
without meeting any resistance for some days, except from some small
castles, which he obliged to surrender at discretion. The protector
intended to have punished the governor and garrison of one of these
castles for their temerity in resisting such unequal force: but they
eluded his anger by asking only a few hours' respite, till they should
prepare themselves for death; after which they found his ears more open
to their applications for mercy.[**]

* Sir John Haywood in Kennet, p. 279. Heylin, p. 42.

** Haywood. Patten.

The governor of Scotland had summoned together the whole force of the
kingdom; and his army, double in number to that of the English, had
taken post on advantageous ground, guarded by the banks of the Eske,
about four miles from Edinburgh. The English came within sight of them
at Faside; and after a skirmish between the horse, where the Scots were
worsted, and Lord Hume dangerously wounded, Somerset prepared himself
for a more decisive action. But having taken a view of the Scottish camp
with the earl of Warwick, he found it difficult to make an attempt upon
it with any probabil