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There are two monuments which
go by the name of Percy’s Cross in Northumberland. One commemorates the Battle
of Otterburn of 1388; the other – and the subject of this article – is situated
about 4 miles
north of Glanton, near to the site of the Battle of Hedgeley Moor.
The encounter resulted in an
important Yorkist victory over their Lancastrian foe in April 1464 during the
Wars of the Roses – the triumph enabling the Scots to safely travel south to
conclude an agreement with the Yorkists. Several nobles took to the field, of
course, including one Sir Ralph Percy who had thrown in his lot with the wrong
side.
As his aristocratic
colleagues fled the field in the midst of their ignominious defeat, Percy
carved a name for himself in history by refusing to join them. He and his men
fought to the death in a brave show of loyalty to the Lancastrian cause.
Surrounded, his horse stumbled and he was overpowered by the enemy. His last
words were said to have been: “I have saved the bird in my bosom”…
This enigmatic utterance has
kept the historians guessing over the years, but is now thought to have meant
that he died an honourable death by remaining loyal to his cause until the very
end – “keeping safe the bird in thy bosom” being a metaphor of the time for
such shows of fidelity and allegiance in the face of adversity. Curious, then, that Percy and his family
should have so regularly switched sides during the wars!
Near the spot where Sir Ralph
fell was thereafter erected a stone cross in his honour carved with Percy
emblems, the head of which is now missing.
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