Battle of Shrewsbury

‘His government [Robert, Duke of Albany], after the death of his brother, Robert III (1407), commenced with a show of prosperity. He renewed the league offensive and defensive with the kingdom of France, and entered into negotiation with England. In the communings which ensued, he made no application for the liberation of his nephew, the present sovereign, nor was his name even mentioned in the transaction. But the Earl of Douglas, whose military services were valuable to the defence of the frontier, was restored to freedom, having been taken at the battle of Shrewsbury, where he had fought on the side of Sir Henry Percy with his usual distinguished valor, beating down the king of England with his own hand, but being in the course of the conflict himself made prisoner, according to his habitual bad luck. George, Earl of March, had rendered Henry IV effectual assistance during that insurrection, being the first who apprised that monarch of the conspiracy against him. But he was now weary of his exile, and, disappointed of his revenge, returned to his allegiance to Scotland, upon restoration of his estates. These were great points gained in reference to defence upon the border…’

The Battle of Shrewsbury was fought on July 21, 1403.  King Henry IV of England battled Hotspur; Henry Percy in this encounter, with results favoring Henry IV.  The text above, from Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Scotland”, discusses some of the players at a time after Shrewsbury had taken place.