The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. 285
the Advocates' Library, and edited by Mr. Dalyell, in
Godly Sangs and Ballets, Edin. 1802.
NOTE F 2.
Let M7~usgrave meet.fierce Deloraine
In single fight. P. 144.
It may easily be supposed, that trial by single combat, so peculiar to the feudal system, was common on
the Borders. In 1558, the well-known Kirkaldy of
Grange fought a duel with Ralph Evre, brother to the
then Lord Evre, in consequence of a dispute about a
prisoner said to have been ill treated by the Lord
Evre. Pitscottie gives the following account of the
affair: —" The Lord of Ivers, his brother, provoked
William Kircaldy, of Grange, to fight with him, in
singular combat, on horseback, with spears; who, keeping the appointment, accompanied with Monsieur
d'Ossel, lieutenant to the French King, and the garrison of Haymouth, and Mr. Ivers, accompanied with
the governor and garrison of Berwick, it was discharged, under the pain of treason, that any man
should come near the champions within a flight-shot,
except one man for either of them, to bear their spears,
two trumpets, and two lords to be judges. When they
were in readiness, the trumpets sounded, the heraulds
cried, and the judges let them go. They then encountered very fiercely; but Grange struck his spear
through his adversary's shoulder, and bare him off his
horse, being sore wounded: But whether he died, or
not, it is uncertain."-P. 202.