When questioned by the king why he had displayed the banner of revolt against him, he said he had done so on the urging of Hotspur; and the king, who was always inclined to leniency, when leniency was safe, pardoned him, and permitted him to retain his dignity and estates.
Oswald speedily recovered from his wounds, but his father suffered much.
"I have fought my last fight, Oswald," he said, when his son rode over to see him, a few days after their return from the south.

"I say not that I am about to die, but only that methinks I shall never be able to wield sword manfully again.

I have talked the matter over with your mother, and she agrees with me that it were well that I handed over Yardhope to you.

I do not mean that I should leave the old place--for generations my fathers have lived and died here, and I would fain do the same--but that I should hand over to you the feu, and you should take oath for it to Northumberland, and lead its retainers in the field.

Were it that there was a chance of another raid by the Bairds, I would still maintain my hold myself; but their power was altogether broken, at Homildon.
"Moreover, the border Scots and we are at peace now, as we have not been so long as memories run; seeing that we have fought side by side against the King of England, and have suffered the same misfortune in defeat; therefore, I can hang up my sword.
"But for you there may be more fighting.