Ossian Collection > Aspects of poetry

XII.] ' THE WHITE DOE OF RYLSTONE: 347
rose and gathered round the two great earls. The
whole of the North was in arms. A proclamation went
forth that they intended to restore the ancient religion,
to settle the succession to the crown, and to prevent
the destruction of the old nobility. As they marched
forward they were joined by all the strength of the
Yorkshire dales, and, among others, by a gentleman
of ancient name, Richard Norton, accompanied by
eight brave sons. He came bearing the common
banner, called the Banner of the Five Wounds, because
on it was displayed the Cross with the five wounds of
our Lord. The insurgents entered Durham, tore the
Bible, caused mass to be said in the cathedral, and
then set forward as for York. Changing their purpose
on the way, they turned aside to lay siege to Barnard
Castle, which was held by Sir George Bowes for the
Queen. While they lingered there for eleven days,
Sussex marched against them from York, and the
earls, losing heart, retired towards the Border, and dis-
banded their forces, which were left to the vengeance
of the enemy, while they themselves sought refuge
in Scotland. Northumberland, after a confinement of
several years in Loch Leven Castle, was betrayed by
the Scots to the English, and put to death. West-
moreland died an exile in Flanders, the last of the
ancient house of the Nevilles, earls of Westmoreland.
Norton, with his eight sons, fell into the hands of
Sussex, and all suffered death at York. It is the fate