"The forces of Westmoreland, Cumberland, Durham, and Northumberland, if
together, might hope to make a stout resistance, even against so large
a force as Douglas is collecting; but we cannot so gather. The Earl of
Westmoreland, who commands the forces of his own county and Cumberland,
must needs hold them together; lest the Scots pour down, besiege
Carlisle, and carry fire and sword through those counties.
"From here up to Berwick the country has been so plundered, and
devastated, that it is almost a desert; and I can draw no strength from
there. As to Durham, they urge, and with some truth that, as the Scots
have, before now, laid portions of their county waste, they cannot send
their forces so far north as this place; as it would leave them
unprotected, should the enemy march through Tynedale into their county.
"The king has entered Wales with the fighting men of thirty-four
counties, so from him no aid can be expected; and it seems to me that
we shall be quite unable to make head against the invasion; though
assuredly, when we have gathered our forces, and are joined by those
Dunbar will bring us, we will meet them as they return, spoil laden, to
the border."
Well-mounted messengers had been placed on every road by which the
Scots could cross the border; and on the 18th of August, one came with
the news that, twelve hours before, they had crossed into Cumberland at
Kirksop Foot; that they were reported to be ten thousand strong; and
that a dozen villages were already in flames.
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