. 215. Fragm. ad finem T. Sproti.

** See note R, at the end of the volume.

**** Monstrelet, vol. iii. p 95.

{1464.} Though reenforced by a numerous train of adventurers from
Scotland, and by many partisans of the family of Lancaster she received
a check at Hedgley-more from Lord Montacute, or Montague, brother to
the earl of Warwick, and warden of the east marches between Scotland
and England. Montague was so encouraged with this success, that, while
a numerous reenforcement was on their march to join him by orders
from Edward, he yet ventured, with his own troops alone, to attack the
Lancastrians at Hexham; and he obtained a complete victory over them.
The duke of Somerset, the Lords Roos and Hungerford, were taken in the
pursuit, and immediately beheaded by martial law at Hexham. Summary
justice was in like manner executed at Newcastle on Sir Humphrey Nevil,
and several other gentlemen. All those who were spared in the field,
suffered on the scaffold; and the utter extermination of their
adversaries was now become the plain object of the York party; a conduct
which received but too plausible an apology from the preceding practice
of the Lancastrians.

The fate of the unfortunate royal family, after this defeat, was
singular. Margaret, flying with her son into a forest, where she
endeavored to conceal herself, was beset, during the darkness of the
night, by robbers, who, either ignorant or regardless of her quality,
despoiled her of her rings and jewels, and treated her with the utmost
indignity. The partition of this rich booty raised a quarrel among them;
and while their attention was thus engaged, she took the opportunity of
making her escape with her son into the thickest of the forest where she
wandered for some time, overspent with hunger and fatigue, and sunk
with terror and affliction. While in this wretched condition, she saw a
robber approach with his naked sword; and finding that she had no means
of escape, she suddenly embraced the resolution of trusting entirely for
protection to his faith and generosity. She advanced towards him; and
presenting to him the young prince, called out to him, "Here, my friend,
I commit to your care the safety of your king's son." The man, whose
humanity and generous spirit had been obscured, not entirely lost,
by his vicious course of life, was struck with the singularity of the
event, was charmed with the confidence reposed in him, and vowed, not
only to abst