However, there was no help for it, and we gathered there, over 40,000 strong.

The main body marched away into Cumberland; but Douglas, March, and Moray, with 300 spears and 2000 footmen, including many an Armstrong, entered Northumberland.
"We marched without turning to the right or left, or staying to attack town, castle, or house, till we crossed the river Tyne and entered Durham.

Then we began the war; burning, ravaging, and slaying.

I liked it not, for although when it comes to fighting I am ready, if needs be, to bear my part, I care not to attack peaceful people.

It is true that your kings have, over and over again, laid waste half Scotland; killing, slaying, and hanging; but it does not seem to me any satisfaction, because some twenty of my ancestors have been murdered, to slay twenty people who were not born until long afterwards, and whose forbears, for aught I know, may have had no hand in the slaughter of mine.
"However, having laden ourselves with plunder from Durham, we sat down for three days before Newcastle, where we had some sharp skirmishes with Sir Henry and his brother, Sir Ralph Percy; and in one of these captured Sir Henry's pennant.
"Then we marched away to Otterburn, after receiving warning from Percy that he intended to win his pennant back again, before we left Northumberland.