l. 280. James encamped in Twisel glen (local spelling 'Twizel') before taking post on Flodden.
l.282. The squire's final act of qualification for knighthood was to watch by his armour till midnight. In his Essay on 'Chivalry' Scott says: 'The candidates watched their arms all night in a church or chapel, and prepared for the honour to be conferred on them by vigil, fast, and prayer.' For a hasty and picturesque ceremony of knighthood see Scott's 'Halidon Hill,' I. ii.
Stanza XI. With the moonlight scene opening this stanza, cp. 'Lay of Last Minstrel,' II. i. Scott is fond of moonlight effects, and he always succeeds with them. See e.g. a passage in 'Woodstock,' chap. xix, beginning There is, I know not why, something peculiarly pleasing to the imagination in contemplating the Queen of Night,' &c.
l. 327. 'The well-known Gawain Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld, son of Archibald Bell-the-Cat, Earl of Angus. He was author of a Scottish metrical version of the "Æneid," and of many other poetical pieces of great merit. He had not at this period attained the mitre.'—Scott.
A word of caution is necessary as to the 'many pieces' mentioned here. Besides his 'Æneid', Douglas's extant works are 'Palice of Honour,' ' King Hart, and a poem of four stanzas entitled 'Conscience.' To each book of the ' Æneid,' however, as well as to the supplementary thirteenth book of Maphæus Vegius, which he also translates, he prefixes an introductory poem, so that there is a sense in which it is correct to call him the author of ' many pieces.' His works were first published in complete form in 1874, in four volumes, admirably edited by the late Dr. John Small. See ‘ Dict. of Nat. Biog.'
1. 329. Rocquet, a linen surplice.
1. 344. 'Angus had strength and personal activity corresponding to his courage. Spens of Kilspindie, a favourite of James IV, having spoken of him lightly, the Earl met him while hawking, and, compelling him to single combat, at one blow cut asunder his thigh-bone, and killed him on the spot. But ere he could obtain James's pardon for this slaughter, Angus was obliged to yield his castle of Hermitage, in exchange for that of Bothwell, which was some diminution to the family greatness. The sword with which he struck so remarkable a blow, was presented by his descendant, James Earl of Morton, afterwards Regent of Scotland, to Lord Lindesay of the Byres, when he defied Bothwell to single combat on Carberry-bill. See Introduction to the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border ':—Scott.
