Historic%20Yorkshire

98
THE BATTLE OF THE STANDARD.
We find,as time advanced, that the Yorkshire battles
became of more moment; not, indeed, that the cruelty,
ravages, or bloodshed, were any less, but because the
warfare was less desultory and the battles more located,
on account ofthe increasedunity of the country. Hence
the Battle of the Standard of ir38 is more memorable
than any ofits predecessors.
The Scots,at any period,everready toavail themselves
of the slightest pretext for entering into contest with their
southernneighbours, were,in the reign of Stephen, only
awaiting a favourable opportunity to again attempt the
invasion of England. Such a period and such an opportunity
presented itself to them early in 1138, when
Matilda set up her claim to England's throne. The
Barons of England weredissatisfiedwith the attitude of
Stephen,whose policy was opposed to the extreme feudal
ideas of the time. Chief amongthe disaffectedparty was
the Earl of Gloucester, who, inconjunction with others,
planned an extensive scheme of rebellion in favour of
Matilda. Part of the conspiracy was the co-action of
Scotland, to the King of which country, David I., the
uncle of Matilda,the Earlmade overtures, with the result
that he promised to attempt again to invade England.
The English Barons, day by day,desertedStephen,who,
it is said,uttered the words, " The traitors! They themselves
made me a king,and now they fall from me;but,
by God's birth, they shall never call me a deposed
King!"
Meanwhile,Davidwas taking active measures tocollect
a large army. His troops were drawnfrom every part of
Scotland, as well as England and foreign parts,and seem
to have been a mere rabble of soldiery, without discipline
or order, more resembling wild beasts than men.
The Scottish King himself was a man of considerable
refinement — so much so,indeed, that we cannot but consider
him as out ofplace amongthe stormy events of his
day. An old writersaysof him: " As for the Kingof Scots
himselfhe was aprince of a mild, merciful disposition;